press releases
Statement on the Judgment Against Second Republican President Fredrick Chiluba
London
May 15, 2007
Denmark, Ireland, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States of America have been active in supporting the Government of Zambia and its Task Force in the fight against corruption. We jointly welcome the Judgement in the High Courts in London on May 4th, 2007, as an historic victory for the people of Zambia that shows their commitment to bringing those who steal from the state to account - however powerful they are.
The money, government funds entrusted to public servants and intended to benefit all Zambians, was plundered by a few, only interested in enriching themselves. The money recovered can now be returned to the Government of Zambia, to be invested in the future of the country, in areas such as education or health care for the Zambian people.
It is courageous that the Government of Zambia has pursued this case and that a Former Head of State has been held accountable for corrupt activity in this way. This is likely to have an impact on corruption in Africa and globally.
We look forward to a continued commitment by the Government of Zambia and the President to the fight against corruption and wish them further success in bringing those who have stolen from the people of Zambia to justice. We also look forward to a further institutionalisation of the fight against high level corruption in Zambia.
More information on the Chiluba judgement can be obtained from the British and Irish Legal Information Institute website at: http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/markup.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWHC/Ch/2007/952.html&query=zamtrop+and+chiluba&method=boolean
###