The Zambian Civil Liberties Union (ZCLU) has stated that the past five years have witnessed both commendable achievements and areas where progress has stalled under the current administration.
ZCLU Acting Executive Director Derrick Chekwe observed that the abolition of the death penalty represents a landmark human rights reform for the nation.
He noted that the repeal of criminal defamation of the President marked an important step toward strengthening democratic debate and protecting citizens’ rights.
Chekwe added that the constitutional amendment introducing reserved seats for women, youths, and persons with disabilities is a significant attempt to address structural barriers to political participation.
He said the enactment of the Access to Information Act was described as an important legislative milestone with the potential to strengthen transparency and accountability.
Chekwe expressed concern that the continued existence of the colonial-era Public Order Act means restrictive frameworks governing public gatherings remain in place.
He pointed out that new cyber legislation has emerged as broader in scope than the laws it replaced, with citizens continuing to face arrests for remarks directed at the President.
Chekwe emphasised that the offence of criminal defamation unfortunately continues to exist on Zambia’s statute books, leading to numerous arrests and prosecutions.
He further stated that while the government introduced a refugee policy, little practical progress has been made toward implementing it on the ground.
Chekwe said Zambia’s constitutional reform agenda remains incomplete, with a particular need to strengthen the independence of the judiciary through transparent appointment processes.
