JINHA

NEWS CENTER - Clifford Dimba was convicted in 2014 for the rape of a 14-year-old girl and sentenced to 18 years in prison. Clifford was pardoned by President Lungu after serving one year of his sentence and subsequently appointed as an ambassador in the fight against gender violence. The UN expert call on the Government of Zambia to publicly withdraw Clifford's appointment and to ensure that there are no further pardons for such crimes against woman and girls.

Zambian singer Clifford Dimba was convicted in 2014 for the rape of a 14-year-old girl and sentenced to 18 years in prison. Clifford was pardoned by President Lungu after serving one year of his sentence and subsequently appointed as an ambassador in the fight against gender violence after he sings the praises of Zambia's president.

Such an outrageous release and appointment cause the traumatises on the victim

"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 Šimonovi?, UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences.

Clifford continues to involve in two other incidents of violence against women

Since his release, Clifford Dimba has allegedly been involved in two other incidents of violence against women. "This clearly shows that impunity for these offences generates more violence and harm," said Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, the UN Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. The human rights experts called on Zambia to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography in order to fully comply with international norms and standards.

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