Zambia pardoned a singer who was convicted of the rape of a
14-year-old girl - then appointed him as an ambassador in the fight against
gender violence.
Clifford Dimba, known as General Kanene, was convicted in
2014 and sentenced to 18 years in prison, but was pardoned by President Edgar
Lungu after serving one year. Since his release, the singer has been involved
in two further incidents of violence against women, according to the United
Nations Council of Human Rights.
“Such an outrageous release and appointment as an ambassador
for the fight against gender-based violence not only traumatises the victim all
over again but discourages other victims from reporting similar offences,” said
Dubravka Šimonović, UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes
and consequences. “The pardon and appointment undermine the strong message
against sexual abuse of women and girls that was sent with the original
sentence and trivialise the serious nature of these offences. Rather, Clifford
Dimba has been placed in a prominent position and even portrayed as a role
model to fight violence against women” Ms Šimonović added.
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