Fact-Check: Has Zambia Been Sanctioned and Blacklisted by the UNHRC?

15 Janurary 2025, Lusaka, Zambia

Claim:

On 13th January 2025, The Daily Nation Zambia, a local newspaper, reported that Zambia has been sanctioned and blacklisted by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for failing to uphold human rights standards between 2022 and 2024.

Verification:

To fact-check this claim, Dikoding Deception analyzed the report published by Daily Nation Zambia on their official website and Facebook page on January 13, 2025. According to the article, Zambia was sanctioned and removed from the UNHRC due to human rights violations under the current government.

However, an official review of UNHRC records and statements from the United Nations contradicts this claim:

1. UNHRC Membership Rules:
   • The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) consists of 47 member states, elected by a majority vote in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) through a direct and secret ballot.
   • Membership is not permanent and is based on a regional quota system, with Africa allocated 13 seats.
2. Official Clarification:
   • Mark Maseko, the National Information Officer at the United Nations in Zambia, confirmed that Zambia did not seek election for the 2023-2025 and 2024-2026 terms.
   • This means Zambia was not removed or blacklisted, but rather was not a candidate for election to the Council during this period.

Conclusion:

The claim by Daily Nation Zambia that Zambia has been sanctioned and blacklisted by the UNHRC is MISLEADING. Zambia was not removed from the Human Rights Council, nor was it sanctioned—it simply did not contest for a seat in the specified terms.

Verdict: ❌ Misleading