News
SAIH expresses solidarity with students in Zambia
The Norwegian Students and Academics’ International Assistance Fund (SAIH), expresses its solidarity with the Zambia National Students Union (ZANASU) and the 74 student activists of Kapasa Makasa University (KMU). They were unlawfully arrested and detained by the Zambia Police Service on 28 October 2025 while exercising their fundamental right to peaceful protest.
The students were demonstrating against the abrupt introduction of a new policy on the classification of degrees, implemented without prior consultation with the student body.
The attack on student activists represents a serious violation of academic freedom and democratic principles. Universities should be spaces for dialogue, critical thinking, and participation - not persecution.
SAIH stands firmly with ZANASU and KMU students in condemning these attacks on peaceful activism. We call for the immediate release of the detained student activists and urge full respect for students’ rights to organize, assemble, and express themselves without fear of repression.
Student voices are essential to the defense and advancement of democracy. Silencing them undermines the very foundations of a just and inclusive society.
Punishing students for speaking up is an attack on democracy itself. All detained students must be released immediately
