A CIVIL society Organisation has challenged former Republican President Rupiah Banda to openly state his views on lawyer Robert Amsterdam's attack on Zambians calling for the lifting of his immunity.

Mr Amsterdam last week issued a statement labelling all Zambians calling for the lifting of Mr Banda's immunity as 'useful idiots' and mere praise singers.

Open Society Foundation executive director Sunday Chanda said in an interview yesterday that the former Head of State should come out in the open and dissociate himself from Mr Amsterdam's sentiments.

"Mr Banda must openly dissociate himself from Mr Amsterdam's remarks because lawyers speak on behalf of their clients and in this case Mr Banda, speaking through his lawyer called those demanding for accountability as idiots," he said.

In a separate interview, opposition National Restoration Party (NAREP) President Elias Chipimo Jr said Mr Banda must clarify to the nation if he believed in Mr Amsterdam's sentiments.

"I think Mr Banda should clearly state whether or not he accepts Mr Amsterdam's claims because as his lawyer, Mr Amsterdam also represents Mr Banda's interests," he said.