A 14-year-old boy who had been detained at Mansa Central Police Station in connection with an alleged offence of theft has been released following the successful diversion of his case, facilitated by the Human Rights Commission – Zambia (HRC-Z), through its Mansa Office.
The intervention was undertaken in collaboration with the Zambia Police Service, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Aid from People to People (DAPP), a service provider supporting the diversion process.
The child was detained on 8 October 2026. On 15 October 2026, the Commission received a complaint from an anonymous complainant alleging that the child had been subjected to prolonged detention. Upon receipt of the complaint, the Commission initiated investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the child’s detention and assess whether his rights were being protected.
The HRC-Z Investigations Officer, Mr Davison Miyoba, worked collaboratively with Child Welfare Inspector Ms Likezo Muzamba from the Department of Social Welfare and Mr Simasiku, a service provider from DAPP, to respond to the complaint and facilitate an appropriate intervention.
Following engagements with the Zambia Police Service, the child, the complainant and the child’s parents, the stakeholders successfully facilitated the child’s release from detention and the diversion of the matter. The Department of Social Welfare has since developed a diversion plan to guide the child’s rehabilitation and provide follow-up support.
The successful outcome demonstrates the importance of inter-agency collaboration in advancing access to justice, safeguarding children’s rights and promoting child-sensitive approaches to justice. It also highlights the importance of timely complaint handling, coordinated investigations and appropriate diversion measures in addressing cases involving children in conflict with the law.
HRC-Z commends the Zambia Police Service, the Department of Social Welfare and DAPP for their cooperation and commitment to ensuring that the matter was addressed through a child-sensitive approach.
This intervention underscores the importance of continued collaboration among justice sector stakeholders in protecting children’s rights, upholding the rights of accused persons and promoting a justice system that prioritises accountability, rehabilitation and the best interests of the child.
The Human Rights Commission remains committed to promoting and protecting human rights, strengthening access to justice and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that every child’s rights and dignity are respected.
