The recent draft report attributed to the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur Irene Khan, who visited Zambia early this year on a mission to assess the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression has revealed interesting findings. The report not only offers a crucial reflection on the state of fundamental freedoms in the country, but also boldly advises the government and the opposition as the country navigates its path of democratic development.
Khan’s report highlights a number of positive steps, including the existence of a relatively vibrant media landscape and legal frameworks that, in principle, protect free speech. However, the report also draws attention to significant concerns – such as restrictions on independent journalism, harassment of journalists, and the use of legal and administrative measures to silence dissent among other things. These issues threaten the foundational democratic principle that citizens must be able to freely share and access diverse opinions without fear of reprisal.
Particularly, Khan has revealed quite troubling aspects about the government’s unpopular actions that limit critical voices, which undermine public trust and accountability. For instance, the Cyber Security Bill and the Cyber Crimes Bill which was recently signed into law has negative bearing on freedom of expression and does not meet international standards, and is already opening doors for abuse of power by the authorities, due to undue restriction of freedom of expression online. This law has shut Zambians from expressing themselves even on issues that can benefit the government.
A deep concern is raised about our legal system which is seen to be selective in the manner it enforces the law. It is clear in the report that the legal system in the country is an “Animal Farm” where some people are treated as the biggest offenders and criminals than others. In this case, we note Khan’s concern about how our legal system is targeting more opposition political opponents or other critics of the government than those in ruling party. This “Animal Farm” kind of legal system is dangerous not only to our democratic governance, but also in the fight against corruption. Politicisation of the legal system is undermining public trust and confidence in public institutions.
Further important aspect worth highlighting is the continuation of archaic law such as the Public Order Act. In his opposition days, President Hakainde Hichilema promised to abolish this colonial law once he became President. Four years down the line, this disgusting, nauseating and sickening law is still enforced in the country. What a lie the President peddled to the Zambian people! It is in public knowledge that the reason why Hichilema has not touched to repeal this retrogressive piece of legislation is because he is using it through state police to restrict and disrupt public gatherings by the opposition over unsubstantiated grounds in the name of maintain public order. This is despite the fact that notifying the police before a social or political gathering is held does not mean getting permission.
All the successive governments have never attempted to remove it; they have all been happy about it at the expense of the Zambia people. It is only a matter of time before these politicians, especially those who serve in government get to be taught the hard lessons on the same.
Khan is not only concerned about the government in her report, she also expressed concerned about the opposition, especially patterning to the political culture circulating and/or publishing misinformation and disinformation on both mainstream platforms and social media. For whatever political expedience, circulating content clothed with misinformation and disinformation is extremely dangerous for consumers of such content. Dangerously, much more – to borrow Nkan’s words, “is that much of the misinformation and disinformation is marked by a high degree of polarising and toxic speech and a low regard for factual accuracy.”
This shouldn’t be accepted as not only the people are misled, but also sow seed of dissonance among the public. We know that most politicians spread misinformation and disinformation with the sole aim of distorting facts in order to gain political mileage. This is the highest level of irresponsibility for anyone aspiring to be a leader.
We therefore agree with Khan’s condemnation on the distortion of facts and the manipulation of information – be it from politicians, civil society, or the media. We believe we can do better as a country by being responsible citizens to our country.
This report thus serves as a vital reminder that freedom of opinion and expression is not merely a constitutional right but the lifeblood of our democracy.
The government, and any other government that may come in future must heed the advice and recommendations made by Khan – to reinforce commitments to open dialogue, safeguard all fundamental freedoms, and foster an environment where diverse voices flourish.
By Daily Revelation Editor
Govt must heed UN Rapporteur’s Report
The recent draft report attributed to the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur Irene Khan, who visited Zambia early this year on a mission to assess the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression has revealed interesting findings. The report not only offers a crucial reflection on the state of fundamental freedoms in the country, but also boldly advises the government and the opposition as the country navigates its path of democratic development.
Khan’s report highlights a number of positive steps, including the existence of a relatively vibrant media landscape and legal frameworks that, in principle, protect free speech. However, the report also draws attention to significant concerns – such as restrictions on independent journalism, harassment of journalists, and the use of legal and administrative measures to silence dissent among other things. These issues threaten the foundational democratic principle that citizens must be able to freely share and access diverse opinions without fear of reprisal.
Particularly, Khan has revealed quite troubling aspects about the government’s unpopular actions that limit critical voices, which undermine public trust and accountability. For instance, the Cyber Security Bill and the Cyber Crimes Bill which was recently signed into law has negative bearing on freedom of expression and does not meet international standards, and is already opening doors for abuse of power by the authorities, due to undue restriction of freedom of expression online. This law has shut Zambians from expressing themselves even on issues that can benefit the government.
A deep concern is raised about our legal system which is seen to be selective in the manner it enforces the law. It is clear in the report that the legal system in the country is an “Animal Farm” where some people are treated as the biggest offenders and criminals than others. In this case, we note Khan’s concern about how our legal system is targeting more opposition political opponents or other critics of the government than those in ruling party. This “Animal Farm” kind of legal system is dangerous not only to our democratic governance, but also in the fight against corruption. Politicisation of the legal system is undermining public trust and confidence in public institutions.
Further important aspect worth highlighting is the continuation of archaic law such as the Public Order Act. In his opposition days, President Hakainde Hichilema promised to abolish this colonial law once he became President. Four years down the line, this disgusting, nauseating and sickening law is still enforced in the country. What a lie the President peddled to the Zambian people! It is in public knowledge that the reason why Hichilema has not touched to repeal this retrogressive piece of legislation is because he is using it through state police to restrict and disrupt public gatherings by the opposition over unsubstantiated grounds in the name of maintain public order. This is despite the fact that notifying the police before a social or political gathering is held does not mean getting permission.
All the successive governments have never attempted to remove it; they have all been happy about it at the expense of the Zambia people. It is only a matter of time before these politicians, especially those who serve in government get to be taught the hard lessons on the same.
Khan is not only concerned about the government in her report, she also expressed concerned about the opposition, especially patterning to the political culture circulating and/or publishing misinformation and disinformation on both mainstream platforms and social media. For whatever political expedience, circulating content clothed with misinformation and disinformation is extremely dangerous for consumers of such content. Dangerously, much more – to borrow Nkan’s words, “is that much of the misinformation and disinformation is marked by a high degree of polarising and toxic speech and a low regard for factual accuracy.”
This shouldn’t be accepted as not only the people are misled, but also sow seed of dissonance among the public. We know that most politicians spread misinformation and disinformation with the sole aim of distorting facts in order to gain political mileage. This is the highest level of irresponsibility for anyone aspiring to be a leader.
We therefore agree with Khan’s condemnation on the distortion of facts and the manipulation of information – be it from politicians, civil society, or the media. We believe we can do better as a country by being responsible citizens to our country.
This report thus serves as a vital reminder that freedom of opinion and expression is not merely a constitutional right but the lifeblood of our democracy.
The government, and any other government that may come in future must heed the advice and recommendations made by Khan – to reinforce commitments to open dialogue, safeguard all fundamental freedoms, and foster an environment where diverse voices flourish.
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