Amnesty International disappoints journalist whose mouth was urinated in by JJ Banda

The ongoing legal saga involving former Petauke Central Member of Parliament Emmanuel 'JJ' Banda has taken a fresh twist, drawing sharp reactions from local media practitioners and victims of past violence. Journalist Peter Sukwa has openly voiced his profound disappointment with global human rights watchdog Amnesty International, following the organization's recent condemnation of the apprehension and legal procedures faced by Banda. Mr. Sukwa, a former newspaper journalist, remains an outspoken critic of Banda, recalling a deeply traumatic historical incident in which he was physically assaulted and humiliated. The controversy centers around whether international advocacy groups apply a consistent standard of justice when evaluating high-profile political figures versus ordinary citizens and journalists. Mr. Sukwa’s grievances harks back to allegations that Banda subjected him to inhumane treatment, a case that has repeatedly struggled to find satisfactory judicial closure or comprehensive accountability. The recent intervention by international bodies like Amnesty International, which questioned elements of Banda's recent legal detentions and state actions, has consequently re-ignited domestic debates regarding whose rights are prioritized by foreign-backed watchdogs. State House and various local civil society actors have similarly pushed back against international criticisms, questioning the selective outrage of organizations that issue condemnations without fully contextualizing a suspect's history of alleged lawlessness. Government spokespersons have argued that true human rights advocacy cannot ignore severe violations committed against vulnerable citizens, such as media workers performing their professional duties. Critics of the international response point out that overlooking grievous assaults on local journalists undermines the credibility of broader civil liberties campaigns in Zambia. For the Zambian media fraternity, the episode underscores the pr