| ZAMBIA Republic of Zambia Republic of Zambia Joined United Nations: 1 December 1964 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Click here Updated 12/23/10 |
| CAPITAL |
| POPULATION |
| CHIEF OF STATE |
| SELECTION PROCESS |
Lusaka
13,460,305
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality
due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death
rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by
age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2010 est.)
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality
due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death
rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by
age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2010 est.)
Vice President Rupiah Banda assumed the role as Acting Chief of
State and Head of Government following the death of President
Levy Mwanawasa on 19 August 2008. With Vice Presidential
candidate Kunda, Banda won the Constitutionally required election.
Election last held: 30 October 2008
Next scheduled election: 2011
State and Head of Government following the death of President
Levy Mwanawasa on 19 August 2008. With Vice Presidential
candidate Kunda, Banda won the Constitutionally required election.
Election last held: 30 October 2008
Next scheduled election: 2011
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
According to the Zambian Constitution, the President (or as in
the present case, the Acting President) is both the Chief of State
and Head of Government
the present case, the Acting President) is both the Chief of State
and Head of Government
| DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS |
| ETHNIC GROUPS |
African 99.5% (includes Bemba, Tonga, Chewa, Lozi, Nsenga, Tumbuka, Ngoni, Lala, Kaonde, Lunda, and other African
groups), other 0.5% (includes Europeans, Asians, and Americans) (2000 Census)
groups), other 0.5% (includes Europeans, Asians, and Americans) (2000 Census)
| RELIGIONS |
Christian 50%-75%, Muslim and Hindu 24%-49%, indigenous beliefs 1%
| GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE |
Republic with 9 provinces; Legal system is based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in an
ad hoc constitutional council; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive: President elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 30 October 2008 (next to be
held in 2011); vice president appointed by the president; note - due to the untimely death of former President Levy MWANAWASA, early
elections were held to identify a replacement to serve out the remainder of his term
Legislative: Unicameral National Assembly (158 seats; 150 members are elected by popular vote, 8 members are appointed by
the president, to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 28 September 2006 (next to be held in 2011)
Judicial: Supreme Court (the final court of appeal; justices are appointed by the president); High Court (has unlimited jurisdiction to
hear civil and criminal cases)
ad hoc constitutional council; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive: President elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 30 October 2008 (next to be
held in 2011); vice president appointed by the president; note - due to the untimely death of former President Levy MWANAWASA, early
elections were held to identify a replacement to serve out the remainder of his term
Legislative: Unicameral National Assembly (158 seats; 150 members are elected by popular vote, 8 members are appointed by
the president, to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 28 September 2006 (next to be held in 2011)
Judicial: Supreme Court (the final court of appeal; justices are appointed by the president); High Court (has unlimited jurisdiction to
hear civil and criminal cases)
| LANGUAGES |
Bemba 30.1% (official), Nyanja 10.7% (official), Tonga 10.6% (official), Lozi 5.7% (official), Chewa 4.9%, Nsenga 3.4%,
Tumbuka 2.5%, Lunda 2.2% (official), Kaonde 2% (official), Lala 2%, Luvale 1.7% (official), English 1.7% (official), other
22.5% (2000 Census)
Tumbuka 2.5%, Lunda 2.2% (official), Kaonde 2% (official), Lala 2%, Luvale 1.7% (official), English 1.7% (official), other
22.5% (2000 Census)
| BRIEF HISTORY |
The original inhabitants of modern day Zambia were bushmen (also called San), who were hunters and gatherers who lived a
nomadic life, with stone age technology. Mainly they gathered fruits and nuts, but they also hunted antelope. The bushmen were the
only inhabitants of the region until the 4th century, when Bantu or Tonga people started to migrate from the north. They had far
more developed technology - they were farmers and had iron and copper tools and weapons, as well as knowledge about pottery
Even today Tonga people are Knowledgeable and good farmers in food production and cattle farming. . They were sedentary and
lived in small self sufficient villages with a few houses, growing sorghum and beans, as well as keeping cattle and goats. Since the
early farmers practised slash and burn agriculture, they had to constantly move further south when the soil was exhausted. The
indigenous bushmen were either assimilated into the new culture or pushed aside into areas not suitable for agriculture. With the
introduction of agriculture the population grew, and more and more land became cultivated. By the 11th and 12th centuries a more
advanced society was beginning to emerge. Even though most villages still were self sufficient, long distance trade was developing.
The period between the 16th and the 19th centuries saw the emergence of organised Iron Age kingdoms as well as widespread
immigration. Four kingdoms was established in this period - among the Kazembe-Lunda in the north centered around the lower
Luapula River, the Bemba in the north east, the Chewa in the east and the Lozi in the west centered around the upper Zambezi
River. The territory of the present Zambia, being far inland, did not have direct contact with non-Africans until relatively recently in
its history. Arab and Portuguese traders were visiting by the 18th Century. The first recorded visits by Europeans to Zambia were
Manoel Caetano Pereira (a trader of mixed Goanese and Portuguese descent) in 1796 and Dr Francisco Jos Maria de Lacerda (an
explorer) in 1798. Both came via Tete in Mozambique to Mwata Kazembe's capital to try and get the chief's agreement to a
Portuguese trade route between their territories of Mozambique and Angola. Lacerda died within a few weeks of arriving at
Kazembe’s but left a valuable journal which was carried back to Tete by his priest and which was later translated into English by the
explorer Sir Richard Burton. However, it is believed the Portuguese first settled in Zumbo, Mozambique, in 1720, which is just
across the Luangwa River from Zambia, at the confluence with the Zambezi River. Around 1820 they had settled on the Zambian
side at Feira (now Luangwa). So it is very likely they were visiting Zambian territory between 1720 and 1820. The first Briton to set
his foot on Zambian soil was David Livingstone. In 1851 he started his famous exploration of the upper Zambezi River, and in 1855
he became the first European to see Mosi-oa-Tunya, the waterfalls on the Zambezi River, which he named after Queen Victoria,
and the Zambian town near the falls is named after him. Livingstone later died in Zambia in 1873. The Lozi people of Barotseland
had prevented access to their land by Arab and Portuguese traders. When the kingdom was first established is uncertain, but it was
certainly in existence by the 18th century, the Lozi calling themselves Aluya and their country Ngulu. Its ruler was called the Litunga,
and had two capitals: in the dry season he stayed at Lealui, while in the rainy season he moved to Limulunga, a move that is still
celebrated in the Kuomboka annual festival. In 1888, Cecil Rhodes, spearheading British commercial and political interests in
Central Africa, obtained a mineral rights concession from local chiefs. In the same year, Northern and Southern Rhodesia, now
Zambia and Zimbabwe, were proclaimed a British sphere of influence. To start with the territory was administered by Rhodes'
British South Africa Company, which showed little interest for the province and used it mainly as a supplier of cheap labour.In 1923
the British government decided not to renew the company's charter; as a result, Southern Rhodesia was annexed formally and
granted self-government in 1923. After negotiations the administration of Northern Rhodesia was transferred to the British colonial
office in 1924 as a protectorate, with Livingstone as capital. It was later transferred to Lusaka in 1935. A Legislative Council was
established, of which five members were elected by the small European minority (only 4,000 people), but none by the African
population. In 1928 important discoveries were made in the region from then on called Copperbelt - enormous copper deposits
were found, transforming Northern Rhodesia from a prospective land of colonization for white farmers to a copper exporter. During
the Second World War white miners came out on strike in 1940. Realising the importance of their products for the war, they
demanded higher salaries. This strike was followed by another by African mineworkers. Even before the war, there had been talks
about merging the two Rhodesia's, but the process had been halted by the British authorities, and brought to an absolute stop by the
war. Finally, in 1953, both Rhodesia's were joined with Nyasaland (now Malawi) to form the Federation of Rhodesia and
Nyasaland. A two-stage election held in October and December 1962 resulted in an African majority in the legislative council and
an uneasy coalition between the two African nationalist parties. The council passed resolutions calling for Northern Rhodesia's
secession from the federation and demanding full internal self-government under a new constitution and a new national assembly
based on a broader, more democratic franchise. On December 31, 1963, the federation was dissolved, and Northern Rhodesia
became the Republic of Zambia on October 24, 1964. Kenneth Kaunda was elected prime minister, and later the same year
president, as the country adopted a presidential system. Kaunda adopted an ideology of African socialism, close to that of Julius
Nyerere in Tanzania. Economical policies focused on central planning and nationalisation, and a system of one party rule was put in
place. Internationally, Zambia's sympathies lay with forces opposing colonial or white-dominated rule. During the next decade, it
actively supported movements such as the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) under the independence
war and under the subsequent civil war, the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) in Southern Rhodesia, the African National
Congress (ANC) in their struggle against apartheid in South Africa, and the South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) in
their struggle for independence for Namibia. The one party rule and the declining economy created disappointment among the
people. Several strikes hit the country in 1981. The government responded by arresting several union leaders, among them
Frederick Chiluba. In 1986 and 1987 protests arose again in Lusaka and the Copperbelt. These were followed by riots over rising
food prices in 1991, in which at least 30 people were killed. The same year the state owned radio claimed that Kaunda had been
removed from office by the army. This was not true, and the coup attempt failed. After a new constitution had been drafted,
elections were held in 1991. They were generally regarded to have been free and fair, and Chiluba won 76% of the presidential
vote, and the MMD 125 of the 150 seats in the National Assembly, with the UNIP taking the remaining 25. In 1993 the
government owned newspaper "The Times of Zambia" reported a story about a secret UNIP plan to take control of government by
unconstitutional means, called the "Zero Operation Plan". Prior to the 1996 elections, the UNIP formed an alliance with six other
opposition parties. Kenneth Kaunda had earlier retired from politics, but after internal turbulence in the party, due to the "Zero
Operation Plan" scandal, he returned, replacing his own successor Kebby Musokotwane. In 1997 matters escalated. On October
28 a coup d'etat took place, as a group of army commanders took control over the national radio station, broadcasting a message
stating that Chiluba was no longer president. The coup was brought to an end by regular forces, after Chiluba had again declared a
state of emergency. One person was killed during the operation. After the failed coup the police arrested at least 84 people accused
of involvement. Among these were Kenneth Kaunda and Dean Mungomba, leader of the opposition party the Zambia Democratic
Congress. The arrests were condemned and criticised as illegal inside as well as outside Zambia, and accusations of torture were
made as well. Kaunda was released in June the following year, but 44 of the soldiers who took part in the coup were sentenced to
death in 2003. Prior to the elections in 2001 Chiluba tried to change the constitution to allow him to run for a third term. He was
forced to step back on this point after protest from within the party as well as from the Zambian public. Vice President Rupiah
Banda assumed the role as Acting Chief of State and Head of Government following the death of President Levy Mwanawasa on
19 August 2008. Under Zambia's constitution, an election must be called within 90 days of the presidential office becoming vacant.
The presidential term is five years.
Source: Wikipedia: History of Zambia
nomadic life, with stone age technology. Mainly they gathered fruits and nuts, but they also hunted antelope. The bushmen were the
only inhabitants of the region until the 4th century, when Bantu or Tonga people started to migrate from the north. They had far
more developed technology - they were farmers and had iron and copper tools and weapons, as well as knowledge about pottery
Even today Tonga people are Knowledgeable and good farmers in food production and cattle farming. . They were sedentary and
lived in small self sufficient villages with a few houses, growing sorghum and beans, as well as keeping cattle and goats. Since the
early farmers practised slash and burn agriculture, they had to constantly move further south when the soil was exhausted. The
indigenous bushmen were either assimilated into the new culture or pushed aside into areas not suitable for agriculture. With the
introduction of agriculture the population grew, and more and more land became cultivated. By the 11th and 12th centuries a more
advanced society was beginning to emerge. Even though most villages still were self sufficient, long distance trade was developing.
The period between the 16th and the 19th centuries saw the emergence of organised Iron Age kingdoms as well as widespread
immigration. Four kingdoms was established in this period - among the Kazembe-Lunda in the north centered around the lower
Luapula River, the Bemba in the north east, the Chewa in the east and the Lozi in the west centered around the upper Zambezi
River. The territory of the present Zambia, being far inland, did not have direct contact with non-Africans until relatively recently in
its history. Arab and Portuguese traders were visiting by the 18th Century. The first recorded visits by Europeans to Zambia were
Manoel Caetano Pereira (a trader of mixed Goanese and Portuguese descent) in 1796 and Dr Francisco Jos Maria de Lacerda (an
explorer) in 1798. Both came via Tete in Mozambique to Mwata Kazembe's capital to try and get the chief's agreement to a
Portuguese trade route between their territories of Mozambique and Angola. Lacerda died within a few weeks of arriving at
Kazembe’s but left a valuable journal which was carried back to Tete by his priest and which was later translated into English by the
explorer Sir Richard Burton. However, it is believed the Portuguese first settled in Zumbo, Mozambique, in 1720, which is just
across the Luangwa River from Zambia, at the confluence with the Zambezi River. Around 1820 they had settled on the Zambian
side at Feira (now Luangwa). So it is very likely they were visiting Zambian territory between 1720 and 1820. The first Briton to set
his foot on Zambian soil was David Livingstone. In 1851 he started his famous exploration of the upper Zambezi River, and in 1855
he became the first European to see Mosi-oa-Tunya, the waterfalls on the Zambezi River, which he named after Queen Victoria,
and the Zambian town near the falls is named after him. Livingstone later died in Zambia in 1873. The Lozi people of Barotseland
had prevented access to their land by Arab and Portuguese traders. When the kingdom was first established is uncertain, but it was
certainly in existence by the 18th century, the Lozi calling themselves Aluya and their country Ngulu. Its ruler was called the Litunga,
and had two capitals: in the dry season he stayed at Lealui, while in the rainy season he moved to Limulunga, a move that is still
celebrated in the Kuomboka annual festival. In 1888, Cecil Rhodes, spearheading British commercial and political interests in
Central Africa, obtained a mineral rights concession from local chiefs. In the same year, Northern and Southern Rhodesia, now
Zambia and Zimbabwe, were proclaimed a British sphere of influence. To start with the territory was administered by Rhodes'
British South Africa Company, which showed little interest for the province and used it mainly as a supplier of cheap labour.In 1923
the British government decided not to renew the company's charter; as a result, Southern Rhodesia was annexed formally and
granted self-government in 1923. After negotiations the administration of Northern Rhodesia was transferred to the British colonial
office in 1924 as a protectorate, with Livingstone as capital. It was later transferred to Lusaka in 1935. A Legislative Council was
established, of which five members were elected by the small European minority (only 4,000 people), but none by the African
population. In 1928 important discoveries were made in the region from then on called Copperbelt - enormous copper deposits
were found, transforming Northern Rhodesia from a prospective land of colonization for white farmers to a copper exporter. During
the Second World War white miners came out on strike in 1940. Realising the importance of their products for the war, they
demanded higher salaries. This strike was followed by another by African mineworkers. Even before the war, there had been talks
about merging the two Rhodesia's, but the process had been halted by the British authorities, and brought to an absolute stop by the
war. Finally, in 1953, both Rhodesia's were joined with Nyasaland (now Malawi) to form the Federation of Rhodesia and
Nyasaland. A two-stage election held in October and December 1962 resulted in an African majority in the legislative council and
an uneasy coalition between the two African nationalist parties. The council passed resolutions calling for Northern Rhodesia's
secession from the federation and demanding full internal self-government under a new constitution and a new national assembly
based on a broader, more democratic franchise. On December 31, 1963, the federation was dissolved, and Northern Rhodesia
became the Republic of Zambia on October 24, 1964. Kenneth Kaunda was elected prime minister, and later the same year
president, as the country adopted a presidential system. Kaunda adopted an ideology of African socialism, close to that of Julius
Nyerere in Tanzania. Economical policies focused on central planning and nationalisation, and a system of one party rule was put in
place. Internationally, Zambia's sympathies lay with forces opposing colonial or white-dominated rule. During the next decade, it
actively supported movements such as the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) under the independence
war and under the subsequent civil war, the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) in Southern Rhodesia, the African National
Congress (ANC) in their struggle against apartheid in South Africa, and the South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) in
their struggle for independence for Namibia. The one party rule and the declining economy created disappointment among the
people. Several strikes hit the country in 1981. The government responded by arresting several union leaders, among them
Frederick Chiluba. In 1986 and 1987 protests arose again in Lusaka and the Copperbelt. These were followed by riots over rising
food prices in 1991, in which at least 30 people were killed. The same year the state owned radio claimed that Kaunda had been
removed from office by the army. This was not true, and the coup attempt failed. After a new constitution had been drafted,
elections were held in 1991. They were generally regarded to have been free and fair, and Chiluba won 76% of the presidential
vote, and the MMD 125 of the 150 seats in the National Assembly, with the UNIP taking the remaining 25. In 1993 the
government owned newspaper "The Times of Zambia" reported a story about a secret UNIP plan to take control of government by
unconstitutional means, called the "Zero Operation Plan". Prior to the 1996 elections, the UNIP formed an alliance with six other
opposition parties. Kenneth Kaunda had earlier retired from politics, but after internal turbulence in the party, due to the "Zero
Operation Plan" scandal, he returned, replacing his own successor Kebby Musokotwane. In 1997 matters escalated. On October
28 a coup d'etat took place, as a group of army commanders took control over the national radio station, broadcasting a message
stating that Chiluba was no longer president. The coup was brought to an end by regular forces, after Chiluba had again declared a
state of emergency. One person was killed during the operation. After the failed coup the police arrested at least 84 people accused
of involvement. Among these were Kenneth Kaunda and Dean Mungomba, leader of the opposition party the Zambia Democratic
Congress. The arrests were condemned and criticised as illegal inside as well as outside Zambia, and accusations of torture were
made as well. Kaunda was released in June the following year, but 44 of the soldiers who took part in the coup were sentenced to
death in 2003. Prior to the elections in 2001 Chiluba tried to change the constitution to allow him to run for a third term. He was
forced to step back on this point after protest from within the party as well as from the Zambian public. Vice President Rupiah
Banda assumed the role as Acting Chief of State and Head of Government following the death of President Levy Mwanawasa on
19 August 2008. Under Zambia's constitution, an election must be called within 90 days of the presidential office becoming vacant.
The presidential term is five years.
Source: Wikipedia: History of Zambia
| ECONOMIC OVERVIEW |
Zambia's economy has experienced strong growth in recent years, with real GDP growth in 2005-08 about 6% per year.
Privatization of government-owned copper mines in the 1990s relieved the government from covering mammoth losses generated
by the industry and greatly improved the chances for copper mining to return to profitability and spur economic growth. Copper
output has increased steadily since 2004, due to higher copper prices and foreign investment. In 2005, Zambia qualified for debt
relief under the Highly Indebted Poor Country Initiative, consisting of approximately USD 6 billion in debt relief. Poverty remains a
significant problem in Zambia, despite a stronger economy. The decline in world commodity prices and demand hurt GDP growth in
2009, but a sharp rebound in copper prices and a bumper maize crop have helped Zambia begin to recover. Lack of economic
diversity subjects Zambia to fluctuations in copper prices and in the weather.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Zambia)
Privatization of government-owned copper mines in the 1990s relieved the government from covering mammoth losses generated
by the industry and greatly improved the chances for copper mining to return to profitability and spur economic growth. Copper
output has increased steadily since 2004, due to higher copper prices and foreign investment. In 2005, Zambia qualified for debt
relief under the Highly Indebted Poor Country Initiative, consisting of approximately USD 6 billion in debt relief. Poverty remains a
significant problem in Zambia, despite a stronger economy. The decline in world commodity prices and demand hurt GDP growth in
2009, but a sharp rebound in copper prices and a bumper maize crop have helped Zambia begin to recover. Lack of economic
diversity subjects Zambia to fluctuations in copper prices and in the weather.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Zambia)
| POLITICAL CLIMATE |
The 2006 presidential election, was hotly contested with Mwanawasa being re-elected by a clear margin over principle challengers
Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front and Hakainde Hichilema of the United Democratic Alliance.
The parliamentary election that same year awarded MMD with 72 seats, the remaining 84 seats split among other parties with the
majority of those seats going to the Patriotic Front.
The presidency of Levy Mwanawasa until his death in office in mid 2008, was different than the flamboyant expenditure and
increasingly apparent corruption of the later years of Frederick Chiluba's terms in office. Indeed, the former president was arrested
and charged with several counts of embezzlement and corruption, firmly quashing initial fears that President Mwanawasa would turn
a blind eye to the allegations of his predecessor's improprieties.
However, Mwanawasa demonstrated an authoritarian streak in early 2004 when he issued a deportation order to a British citizen
and long-time Zambian resident Roy Clarke, who had published a satirical attack on the president in the Zambian Daily Mail. His
early zeal to root out corruption also waned somewhat, with key witnesses in the Chiluba trial leaving the country. The
Constitutional Review Commission set up by Mwanawasa also hit some turbulence, with arguments as to where its findings should
be submitted leading to suspicions that he has been trying to manipulate the outcome. Generally, the Zambian electorate viewed
Mwanawasa's rule as a great improvement over Chiluba's.
Following Mwanawasa's death in August 2008, Zambian vice president Rupiah Banda succeeded him to the office of president, to
be held as a temporary position until the emergency election on October 30, 2008. Banda won by a narrow margin over opposition
leader Michael Sata, to complete the remainder of Mwanawasa's term. A new constitution is being drafted.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of Zambia
Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front and Hakainde Hichilema of the United Democratic Alliance.
The parliamentary election that same year awarded MMD with 72 seats, the remaining 84 seats split among other parties with the
majority of those seats going to the Patriotic Front.
The presidency of Levy Mwanawasa until his death in office in mid 2008, was different than the flamboyant expenditure and
increasingly apparent corruption of the later years of Frederick Chiluba's terms in office. Indeed, the former president was arrested
and charged with several counts of embezzlement and corruption, firmly quashing initial fears that President Mwanawasa would turn
a blind eye to the allegations of his predecessor's improprieties.
However, Mwanawasa demonstrated an authoritarian streak in early 2004 when he issued a deportation order to a British citizen
and long-time Zambian resident Roy Clarke, who had published a satirical attack on the president in the Zambian Daily Mail. His
early zeal to root out corruption also waned somewhat, with key witnesses in the Chiluba trial leaving the country. The
Constitutional Review Commission set up by Mwanawasa also hit some turbulence, with arguments as to where its findings should
be submitted leading to suspicions that he has been trying to manipulate the outcome. Generally, the Zambian electorate viewed
Mwanawasa's rule as a great improvement over Chiluba's.
Following Mwanawasa's death in August 2008, Zambian vice president Rupiah Banda succeeded him to the office of president, to
be held as a temporary position until the emergency election on October 30, 2008. Banda won by a narrow margin over opposition
leader Michael Sata, to complete the remainder of Mwanawasa's term. A new constitution is being drafted.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of Zambia
| INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES |
In 2004, Zimbabwe dropped objections to plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby
de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river
de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river
| REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPS) |
Refugees (country of origin): 42,565 (Angola); 60,874 (Democratic Republic of the Congo); 4,100 (Rwanda) (2007)
| ILLICIT DRUGS |
Transshipment point for moderate amounts of methaqualone, small amounts of heroin, and cocaine bound for southern Africa and
possibly Europe; a poorly developed financial infrastructure coupled with a government commitment to combating money
laundering make it an unattractive venue for money launderers; major consumer of cannabis.
possibly Europe; a poorly developed financial infrastructure coupled with a government commitment to combating money
laundering make it an unattractive venue for money launderers; major consumer of cannabis.
| HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENTS, ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUES |
2009 Human Rights Report: Zambia
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Zambia is a republic of 12.5 million citizens governed by a president and a unicameral national assembly. The ruling Movement for
Multiparty Democracy (MMD) exerted considerable influence through its patronage and allotment of government resources. In an
October 2008 by‑election, then-vice president Rupiah Banda was elected president in generally free and fair multiparty elections. Civilian
authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces.
The government's human rights record remained poor, and it deteriorated during the year in a few areas. Human rights problems
included:
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Zambia is a republic of 12.5 million citizens governed by a president and a unicameral national assembly. The ruling Movement for
Multiparty Democracy (MMD) exerted considerable influence through its patronage and allotment of government resources. In an
October 2008 by‑election, then-vice president Rupiah Banda was elected president in generally free and fair multiparty elections. Civilian
authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces.
The government's human rights record remained poor, and it deteriorated during the year in a few areas. Human rights problems
included:
- an unlawful killing;
- torture, beatings, and abuse of suspects and detainees by security forces;
- official impunity;
- life-threatening prison conditions;
- arbitrary arrests and prolonged pretrial detention;
- long trial delays;
- arbitrary interference with privacy;
- restrictions on freedom of speech, press, assembly, and association;
- government corruption;
- violence and discrimination against women;
- child abuse;
- trafficking in persons;
- discrimination based on sexual orientation and against persons with disabilities;
- restrictions on labor rights;
- forced labor;
- child labor.
11 May 2010
Human Rights Council
Fourteenth session Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to
development
Report of independent expert on the question of human rights and extreme poverty, Magdalena Sepúlveda Carmona*
Mission to Zambia
Summary
At the invitation of the Government, the independent expert on the question of human rights and extreme poverty, Magdalena Sepúlveda
Carmona, undertook a mission to Zambia from 20 to 28 August 2009. During the visit, the expert collected first-hand information on the
human rights situation of people living in extreme poverty and existing social policies, in particular those related to social protection. The
expert paid special attention to cash transfer initiatives.
The expert notes that Zambia has clearly committed to eliminating poverty by recognizing international human rights treaties and
reaffirming these commitments in recent planning activities. Yet, more must be done to translate these commitments and plans into
practice. Despite economic growth in recent years, millions of Zambians are still living in extreme poverty. In particular, groups that are
exposed to discrimination on several grounds, such as women, children, older persons, persons living with HIV/AIDS, migrants, asylum-
seekers and refugees, face additional difficulties when trying to overcome situations of extreme poverty. The expert highlights the need
to improve the country’s legal framework in the context of the ongoing review of the Constitution.
The independent expert underlines the importance of enhancing support to social protection measures through increased public financial
resources and better coordination among the different social protection initiatives implemented in the country. The report focuses in
particular on a set of pilot social cash transfers schemes implemented in the country providing recommendations for enhancing
compliance with human rights norms.
The expert hopes that the Government will increase support for the schemes in order to convert the existing pilots that have very limited
coverage into well-funded and stable public policies that could be the basis of a national social protection system.
The expert recognizes the additional impact of recent global financial crises and climate change on the poor, and reiterates the
importance of investing in social protection to avoid expanding and deepening poverty in the country. She calls for the enhancement of
accountability mechanisms, in particular to fight corruption in Zambia. She urges the Government to ensure participation of civil society
organizations and local communities in public policies and remove obstacles to their effective participation. Taking into consideration the
scarcity of resources, the expert calls on the international community to continue supporting Zambia, enhancing coordination among
their country representatives and guaranteeing long-term sustainability and predictability in the support for social protection.
Click here to read more »
Human Rights Council
Fourteenth session Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to
development
Report of independent expert on the question of human rights and extreme poverty, Magdalena Sepúlveda Carmona*
Mission to Zambia
Summary
At the invitation of the Government, the independent expert on the question of human rights and extreme poverty, Magdalena Sepúlveda
Carmona, undertook a mission to Zambia from 20 to 28 August 2009. During the visit, the expert collected first-hand information on the
human rights situation of people living in extreme poverty and existing social policies, in particular those related to social protection. The
expert paid special attention to cash transfer initiatives.
The expert notes that Zambia has clearly committed to eliminating poverty by recognizing international human rights treaties and
reaffirming these commitments in recent planning activities. Yet, more must be done to translate these commitments and plans into
practice. Despite economic growth in recent years, millions of Zambians are still living in extreme poverty. In particular, groups that are
exposed to discrimination on several grounds, such as women, children, older persons, persons living with HIV/AIDS, migrants, asylum-
seekers and refugees, face additional difficulties when trying to overcome situations of extreme poverty. The expert highlights the need
to improve the country’s legal framework in the context of the ongoing review of the Constitution.
The independent expert underlines the importance of enhancing support to social protection measures through increased public financial
resources and better coordination among the different social protection initiatives implemented in the country. The report focuses in
particular on a set of pilot social cash transfers schemes implemented in the country providing recommendations for enhancing
compliance with human rights norms.
The expert hopes that the Government will increase support for the schemes in order to convert the existing pilots that have very limited
coverage into well-funded and stable public policies that could be the basis of a national social protection system.
The expert recognizes the additional impact of recent global financial crises and climate change on the poor, and reiterates the
importance of investing in social protection to avoid expanding and deepening poverty in the country. She calls for the enhancement of
accountability mechanisms, in particular to fight corruption in Zambia. She urges the Government to ensure participation of civil society
organizations and local communities in public policies and remove obstacles to their effective participation. Taking into consideration the
scarcity of resources, the expert calls on the international community to continue supporting Zambia, enhancing coordination among
their country representatives and guaranteeing long-term sustainability and predictability in the support for social protection.
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Freedom In The World 2010 Report
Political Rights Score: 3
Civil Liberties Score: 4
Status: Partly Free
Ratings Change
Zambia’s civil liberties rating declined from 3 to 4 due to new legal restrictions on the activities of nongovernmental
organizations.
Overview
The government and ruling party stepped up pressure on civil society and the media in 2009, including passing a law that increases
restrictions on the activities of nongovernmental organizations. Former president Frederick Chiluba, found guilty of corruption in a
British high court in 2007, was acquitted of the charges and has enjoyed a political rehabilitation at the hands of President Rupiah Banda.
Meanwhile, two foreign governments suspended funding to Zambia’s health sector in the wake of corruption scandals in the ministry of
health.
The presidential by-elections in October 2008that followed Mwanawasa’s death pitted his vice president, Rupiah Banda, against Sata and
Hakainde Hichilemaof the United Party for National Development (UPND). Banda was elected president with 40 percent of the vote,
against Sata’s 38 percent, and Hichilema’s 20 percent. Sata claimed that the elections were fraudulent and filed a legal challenge calling
for a recount, but his request was rejected by the Supreme Court in March 2009.
During Banda’s time in office, the overall political situation in the country has been characterized by contentious politics and governance
challenges. Banda has been in conflict with members of his party who have sought to challenge his leadership and presumed candidacy
for polls scheduled for 2011. Meanwhile, government and ruling party actors have taken aggressive and sometimes violent actions
against the political opposition and elements of civil society thought to be against the president.
Despite substantial progress from 2004–2007, economic growth slowed in 2008 and 2009 owing to the global economic recession.
Increases in the global price of copper in 2009 may generate improvements in 2010, however. Zambia experienced considerable debt
relief in 2005 and 2007, and has obtained substantial investment in recent years from China. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in
2008 pledged $79 million to support poverty alleviation and economic growth, and in 2009, it agreed to provide over $250 million to
strengthen and stabilize the kwacha.
Zambia is an electoral democracy. While local and international observers declared the 2008 presidential elections to be free and fair,
opposition parties and civil society groups raised concerns about fraud, including the printing of additional ballot papers and the
incumbent’s use of state resources for campaigning. The president and the unicameral National Assembly are elected to serve
concurrent five-year terms. The National Assembly includes 150 elected members, as well as 8 members appointed by the president.
The opposition has been able to operate, although under some duress. PF leader Sata has been arrested and charged with various
offenses, including sedition, since 2001. While violent clashes took place between supporters of the PF and the MMD in both 2008 and
2009, there is no evidence of systematic harassment of the PF by the government. In March 2009, the PF joined hands with the UPND
to challenge the MMD in the 2011 elections.
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Political Rights Score: 3
Civil Liberties Score: 4
Status: Partly Free
Ratings Change
Zambia’s civil liberties rating declined from 3 to 4 due to new legal restrictions on the activities of nongovernmental
organizations.
Overview
The government and ruling party stepped up pressure on civil society and the media in 2009, including passing a law that increases
restrictions on the activities of nongovernmental organizations. Former president Frederick Chiluba, found guilty of corruption in a
British high court in 2007, was acquitted of the charges and has enjoyed a political rehabilitation at the hands of President Rupiah Banda.
Meanwhile, two foreign governments suspended funding to Zambia’s health sector in the wake of corruption scandals in the ministry of
health.
The presidential by-elections in October 2008that followed Mwanawasa’s death pitted his vice president, Rupiah Banda, against Sata and
Hakainde Hichilemaof the United Party for National Development (UPND). Banda was elected president with 40 percent of the vote,
against Sata’s 38 percent, and Hichilema’s 20 percent. Sata claimed that the elections were fraudulent and filed a legal challenge calling
for a recount, but his request was rejected by the Supreme Court in March 2009.
During Banda’s time in office, the overall political situation in the country has been characterized by contentious politics and governance
challenges. Banda has been in conflict with members of his party who have sought to challenge his leadership and presumed candidacy
for polls scheduled for 2011. Meanwhile, government and ruling party actors have taken aggressive and sometimes violent actions
against the political opposition and elements of civil society thought to be against the president.
Despite substantial progress from 2004–2007, economic growth slowed in 2008 and 2009 owing to the global economic recession.
Increases in the global price of copper in 2009 may generate improvements in 2010, however. Zambia experienced considerable debt
relief in 2005 and 2007, and has obtained substantial investment in recent years from China. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in
2008 pledged $79 million to support poverty alleviation and economic growth, and in 2009, it agreed to provide over $250 million to
strengthen and stabilize the kwacha.
Zambia is an electoral democracy. While local and international observers declared the 2008 presidential elections to be free and fair,
opposition parties and civil society groups raised concerns about fraud, including the printing of additional ballot papers and the
incumbent’s use of state resources for campaigning. The president and the unicameral National Assembly are elected to serve
concurrent five-year terms. The National Assembly includes 150 elected members, as well as 8 members appointed by the president.
The opposition has been able to operate, although under some duress. PF leader Sata has been arrested and charged with various
offenses, including sedition, since 2001. While violent clashes took place between supporters of the PF and the MMD in both 2008 and
2009, there is no evidence of systematic harassment of the PF by the government. In March 2009, the PF joined hands with the UPND
to challenge the MMD in the 2011 elections.
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AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PUBLIC STATEMENT
10 February 2010
Zambia: Missed opportunity to join worldwide trend towards abolition of the death penalty
Amnesty International has appealed to the Zambian government to take steps towards abolishing the death penalty despite the decision of
the Zambia National Constitutional Conference (NCC) on 3 February to retain capital punishment in a draft Constitution to be presented
to the public for consultation.
Zambia missed an opportunity to join the worldwide trend towards abolition of the death penalty as a result of the decision by the NCC.
Amnesty International deeply regrets the decision by the NCC to ignore the request by the majority of the petitioners to the Mng’omba
Constitutional Review Commission to remove capital punishment from the draft Constitution.
Amnesty International believes that the death penalty is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and constitutes a violation
of the right to life. The right to life and the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment are
recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter
on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Recent decades have witnessed a global trend away from the use of the death penalty to such an extent that an execution has become a
rare event in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2008, only 25 countries carried out executions, four of them in Africa. One hundred and thirty nine
countries have now abolished the death penalty in law or have not carried out executions for years. Only 58 countries retain capital
punishment. Most recently, Togo and Burundi abolished the death penalty in 2009. Of the 15 member states of the Southern African
Development Community, only Botswana has carried out executions in recent years.
In November 2008 the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights adopted a resolution calling upon state parties to the African
Charter on Human and People’s Rights to observe a moratorium on executions with a view to total abolition of the death penalty. The
resolution expresses concern at the failure of some African states to give effect to UN resolutions and the African Commission's own
resolution (1999) calling for a moratorium on executions. The resolution also expresses concern at the application of the death penalty in
conditions not respectful of the right to a fair trial and other human rights. By adopting the resolution the African Commission has
aligned itself with the global trend towards abolishing the death penalty.
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PUBLIC STATEMENT
10 February 2010
Zambia: Missed opportunity to join worldwide trend towards abolition of the death penalty
Amnesty International has appealed to the Zambian government to take steps towards abolishing the death penalty despite the decision of
the Zambia National Constitutional Conference (NCC) on 3 February to retain capital punishment in a draft Constitution to be presented
to the public for consultation.
Zambia missed an opportunity to join the worldwide trend towards abolition of the death penalty as a result of the decision by the NCC.
Amnesty International deeply regrets the decision by the NCC to ignore the request by the majority of the petitioners to the Mng’omba
Constitutional Review Commission to remove capital punishment from the draft Constitution.
Amnesty International believes that the death penalty is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and constitutes a violation
of the right to life. The right to life and the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment are
recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter
on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Recent decades have witnessed a global trend away from the use of the death penalty to such an extent that an execution has become a
rare event in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2008, only 25 countries carried out executions, four of them in Africa. One hundred and thirty nine
countries have now abolished the death penalty in law or have not carried out executions for years. Only 58 countries retain capital
punishment. Most recently, Togo and Burundi abolished the death penalty in 2009. Of the 15 member states of the Southern African
Development Community, only Botswana has carried out executions in recent years.
In November 2008 the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights adopted a resolution calling upon state parties to the African
Charter on Human and People’s Rights to observe a moratorium on executions with a view to total abolition of the death penalty. The
resolution expresses concern at the failure of some African states to give effect to UN resolutions and the African Commission's own
resolution (1999) calling for a moratorium on executions. The resolution also expresses concern at the application of the death penalty in
conditions not respectful of the right to a fair trial and other human rights. By adopting the resolution the African Commission has
aligned itself with the global trend towards abolishing the death penalty.
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Zambia: Civil Society Groups Urge Arrest of al-Bashir
ICC Member States Obliged to Arrest Fugitives on Their Territories
December 13, 2010
(Johannesburg, December 13, 2010) - The Zambian government should make clear that President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan will be
arrested if he travels to Zambia, African civil society organizations and international organizations with a presence in Africa said in a letter
to the Zambian president made public today.
News reports indicate that al-Bashir may travel to Zambia to attend the special summit of the International Conference on the Great
Lakes Region to be held on December 15, 2010, in Lusaka. Al-Bashir is subject to two warrants issued by the International Criminal
Court (ICC) for crimes committed in Darfur, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
"Zambia has an obligation to assist the ICC in enforcing its outstanding warrants against al-Bashir," said Lee Habasonda, director of the
Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes. "If al-Bashir is granted entry into Zambia and then not arrested, it
would send the wrong signal to victims in Darfur."
Zambia is a state party to the ICC. The court's treaty, the Rome Statute, requires states to cooperate with the court, which includes the
execution of arrest warrants. The ICC has no police force and thus depends on member states to enforce its orders. The United Nations
Security Council referred the situation in Darfur to the ICC prosecutor on March 31, 2005.
Al-Bashir's travels have recently been curtailed amid calls for his arrest. Early in December, al-Bashir cancelled a scheduled trip to the
Central African Republic for independence celebrations in Bangui. Anticipated travel by al-Bashir to Kenya was forestalled in October
with the relocation of an Intergovernmental Authority on Development meeting from Nairobi to Addis Ababa.
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ICC Member States Obliged to Arrest Fugitives on Their Territories
December 13, 2010
(Johannesburg, December 13, 2010) - The Zambian government should make clear that President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan will be
arrested if he travels to Zambia, African civil society organizations and international organizations with a presence in Africa said in a letter
to the Zambian president made public today.
News reports indicate that al-Bashir may travel to Zambia to attend the special summit of the International Conference on the Great
Lakes Region to be held on December 15, 2010, in Lusaka. Al-Bashir is subject to two warrants issued by the International Criminal
Court (ICC) for crimes committed in Darfur, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
"Zambia has an obligation to assist the ICC in enforcing its outstanding warrants against al-Bashir," said Lee Habasonda, director of the
Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes. "If al-Bashir is granted entry into Zambia and then not arrested, it
would send the wrong signal to victims in Darfur."
Zambia is a state party to the ICC. The court's treaty, the Rome Statute, requires states to cooperate with the court, which includes the
execution of arrest warrants. The ICC has no police force and thus depends on member states to enforce its orders. The United Nations
Security Council referred the situation in Darfur to the ICC prosecutor on March 31, 2005.
Al-Bashir's travels have recently been curtailed amid calls for his arrest. Early in December, al-Bashir cancelled a scheduled trip to the
Central African Republic for independence celebrations in Bangui. Anticipated travel by al-Bashir to Kenya was forestalled in October
with the relocation of an Intergovernmental Authority on Development meeting from Nairobi to Addis Ababa.
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Friday, December 10, 2010
Zambia: Rupiah calls for violence free 2011 elections
President Rupiah Banda has called on youths in the country to stand up and reject violence ahead of next year’s general elections.
Mr Banda urged youths to reject politicians who incite violence and rather use dialogue and mutual understanding to resolve differences.
President Banda said this in a speech read on his behalf by Youth Sport and Child Development Minister Kenneth Chipungu at the official
opening of a Youth Indaba at Mulungushi International Conference centre today.
More than 600 youths attended the Indaba held under the theme, “Let the Youth Be heard: dialogue and mutual understanding’’.
President Banda stressed the need to safe guard the peace the country has been enjoying.
And President Banda has said indabas are critical in promoting peace and security as the country nears the 2011 general election.
President Banda said there is need to build space for cooperation and strengthen mutual understanding and respect among political
players and stakeholders as the nation prepares for next year’s general elections.
He also observed that the theme for the Indaba calls for open , transparent and constructive dialogue between the youth , government
and policy makers to put heads together to brain storm on youth challenges and find the way forward.
President Banda further reiterated government’s determination to make the youth in the country a force behind Zambia’s economic and
social development.
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Zambia: Rupiah calls for violence free 2011 elections
President Rupiah Banda has called on youths in the country to stand up and reject violence ahead of next year’s general elections.
Mr Banda urged youths to reject politicians who incite violence and rather use dialogue and mutual understanding to resolve differences.
President Banda said this in a speech read on his behalf by Youth Sport and Child Development Minister Kenneth Chipungu at the official
opening of a Youth Indaba at Mulungushi International Conference centre today.
More than 600 youths attended the Indaba held under the theme, “Let the Youth Be heard: dialogue and mutual understanding’’.
President Banda stressed the need to safe guard the peace the country has been enjoying.
And President Banda has said indabas are critical in promoting peace and security as the country nears the 2011 general election.
President Banda said there is need to build space for cooperation and strengthen mutual understanding and respect among political
players and stakeholders as the nation prepares for next year’s general elections.
He also observed that the theme for the Indaba calls for open , transparent and constructive dialogue between the youth , government
and policy makers to put heads together to brain storm on youth challenges and find the way forward.
President Banda further reiterated government’s determination to make the youth in the country a force behind Zambia’s economic and
social development.
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There is urgent need to address inequalities between men and women, says HRC Chairperson
Mar 15, 2010
THE Human Rights Commission (HRC) has observed that the persistent inequalities between men and women have not favored women,
who still suffer discrimination and violence.
Speaking during the commemorations at Mulungushi International Conference Centre to mark the International Women’s Day, HRC
Chairperson Mrs. Pixie Yangailo said that a lot still needed to be done to protect women’s rights and advance the agenda for women’s
empowerment and gender equality.
“There are many challenges still to be addressed. These challenges need greater commitment to the cause of women empowerment, the
courage to challenge socio-cultural attitudes, biases and impediments to gender equality, and the will to implement women-friendly
policies and programmes,” she said.
Mrs. Yangailo commended the Government for its efforts to implement some provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of all
forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
“We are happy to see the provisions of the CEDAW being incorporated in some of the domestic legislation and sectoral policies, such as
National Gender Policy, National Cultural Policy, Education Policy, Health Policy and the Fifth National Development Plan,” she said,
adding that it was an important step towards ensuring that gender was systematically mainstreamed in Government programmes.
However, she urged the Government to do more to increase women’s access to economic resources.
“We welcome recent Government efforts to simplify modalities for accessing empowerment funds being administered by the Citizen
Economic Empowerment Commission to benefit more Zambians. We hope that more could be done to address the difficulties that
women are still facing in accessing these funds if we are to see more women benefiting from the Empowerment Funds, especially those
in rural areas who remain marginalized,” she said.
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Mar 15, 2010
THE Human Rights Commission (HRC) has observed that the persistent inequalities between men and women have not favored women,
who still suffer discrimination and violence.
Speaking during the commemorations at Mulungushi International Conference Centre to mark the International Women’s Day, HRC
Chairperson Mrs. Pixie Yangailo said that a lot still needed to be done to protect women’s rights and advance the agenda for women’s
empowerment and gender equality.
“There are many challenges still to be addressed. These challenges need greater commitment to the cause of women empowerment, the
courage to challenge socio-cultural attitudes, biases and impediments to gender equality, and the will to implement women-friendly
policies and programmes,” she said.
Mrs. Yangailo commended the Government for its efforts to implement some provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of all
forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
“We are happy to see the provisions of the CEDAW being incorporated in some of the domestic legislation and sectoral policies, such as
National Gender Policy, National Cultural Policy, Education Policy, Health Policy and the Fifth National Development Plan,” she said,
adding that it was an important step towards ensuring that gender was systematically mainstreamed in Government programmes.
However, she urged the Government to do more to increase women’s access to economic resources.
“We welcome recent Government efforts to simplify modalities for accessing empowerment funds being administered by the Citizen
Economic Empowerment Commission to benefit more Zambians. We hope that more could be done to address the difficulties that
women are still facing in accessing these funds if we are to see more women benefiting from the Empowerment Funds, especially those
in rural areas who remain marginalized,” she said.
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Monday, December 20, 2010
Zambia: Independent media vital for democracy — Sakala
CHIEF Justice Ernest Sakala has said the independence of both the media and the judiciary is important to good governance and to the
enjoyment of personal rights and freedoms in a democracy.
And the Chief Justice has advised lawyers to join hands in defence of the judiciary against unwarranted attacks.
Speaking during the 9th MISA Zambia annual media awards ceremony at the Golf View Hotel on Saturday evening the Chief Justice said
the survival of relatively young democracies like Zambia largely depend on the existence of a free and independent media as well as a free
and independent judiciary.
“And if anything a free media depends largely upon the existence of a free and independent judiciary. Secondly public acceptance of the
courts is a basic requirement in an orderly democratic society,” he said.
He said respect for the judiciary was an essential part of the administration of justice.
“In this connection, the image of justice is created mainly by the media. Thus because relatively few people are involved in the
administration of justice the public’s information about and impression of the judges and the justice system is shaped by the members of
the media,” he said.
He said the media and judiciary complement each other in the prevention of crime thereby maintaining security in the country.
The media as a watchdog plays a pivotal role in community actions taken to prevent and expose crime.
“Therefore for the good of the country a free and independent media needs the existence of a free and independent judiciary and a free
and independent judiciary also needs a free and independent media,” he said.
Mr Justice Sakala said the media and the judiciary through playing different roles provided checks on power and actions of the
Government.
Meanwhile, the Chief Justice has called on lawyers to be in the forefront to respect and abide by the judgments and decisions of the
courts.
Speaking during the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) Christmas luncheon at the weekend, Mr Justice Sakala said it was sad that some
lawyers were denouncing individual judges by name in the media.
“For a lay person or a politician it is perhaps forgivable. But for those who claim to be learned in the law to be in the forefront of
unjustified and malicious attacks of the courts then they must have gone to a different law school different from where most of us
went,” he said.
He said unsubstantiated allegations of compromise and corruption have been made against the courts.
Click here to read more>>
Zambia: Independent media vital for democracy — Sakala
CHIEF Justice Ernest Sakala has said the independence of both the media and the judiciary is important to good governance and to the
enjoyment of personal rights and freedoms in a democracy.
And the Chief Justice has advised lawyers to join hands in defence of the judiciary against unwarranted attacks.
Speaking during the 9th MISA Zambia annual media awards ceremony at the Golf View Hotel on Saturday evening the Chief Justice said
the survival of relatively young democracies like Zambia largely depend on the existence of a free and independent media as well as a free
and independent judiciary.
“And if anything a free media depends largely upon the existence of a free and independent judiciary. Secondly public acceptance of the
courts is a basic requirement in an orderly democratic society,” he said.
He said respect for the judiciary was an essential part of the administration of justice.
“In this connection, the image of justice is created mainly by the media. Thus because relatively few people are involved in the
administration of justice the public’s information about and impression of the judges and the justice system is shaped by the members of
the media,” he said.
He said the media and judiciary complement each other in the prevention of crime thereby maintaining security in the country.
The media as a watchdog plays a pivotal role in community actions taken to prevent and expose crime.
“Therefore for the good of the country a free and independent media needs the existence of a free and independent judiciary and a free
and independent judiciary also needs a free and independent media,” he said.
Mr Justice Sakala said the media and the judiciary through playing different roles provided checks on power and actions of the
Government.
Meanwhile, the Chief Justice has called on lawyers to be in the forefront to respect and abide by the judgments and decisions of the
courts.
Speaking during the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) Christmas luncheon at the weekend, Mr Justice Sakala said it was sad that some
lawyers were denouncing individual judges by name in the media.
“For a lay person or a politician it is perhaps forgivable. But for those who claim to be learned in the law to be in the forefront of
unjustified and malicious attacks of the courts then they must have gone to a different law school different from where most of us
went,” he said.
He said unsubstantiated allegations of compromise and corruption have been made against the courts.
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Rupiah Bwezani Banda
President since 19 August 2008
President since 19 August 2008
| TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS |
None reported.
George Kunda
Vice President since 14 November 2008
Vice President since 14 November 2008