Leading civil society organizations in Zambia are expressing profound concerns and warnings regarding the legislative processes in the country, particularly focusing on the proposed Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 and the existing Cyber Crimes Act. Both the Acton Institute for Policy Analysis Centre (AIPAC) and the Zambian Civil Liberties Union (ZCLU) have highlighted a significant lack of legitimacy, transparency, and inclusivity in how these crucial pieces of legislation are being handled by the Ministry of Justice.

The Zambian Civil Liberties Union, through its Executive Director Isaac Mwanza, has strongly urged the government to immediately halt the presentation of the Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 to parliament, which was scheduled for its first reading. Mr. Mwanza issued a stern warning that proceeding with the Bill in its current form, despite widespread public apprehension and substantive issues raised by numerous stakeholders, risks severely undermining Zambia's democratic values and eroding public trust in the legislative process. He emphasized that the absence of adequate consultation to incorporate these concerns into the draft Bill could generate suspicion regarding the government's true intentions. ZCLU has called upon parliament to engage comprehensively with the legitimate concerns voiced by both civil society and its own members.

In parallel, the Acton Institute for Policy Analysis Centre has expressed deep disappointment over the Ministry of Justice's handling of the Bill 7 debates and the broader legislative process. AIPAC described the act of presenting Bill 7 before parliament as "suicidal," especially given that the Ministry has consistently ignored advice from a multitude of stakeholders. AIPAC specifically pointed to a betrayal of trust by the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs concerning the Cyber Crimes Bill, asserting that essential democratic principles of transparency, accountability, and inclusivity were entirely disregarded during its passage into law.

AIPAC further highlighted that despite a meeting between His Excellency President Hichilema and various stakeholders at State House, where agreements were reportedly made to address public concerns, the voices of these groups were "shockingly ignored." The Cyber Crimes Bill was ultimately enacted with clauses that AIPAC views as a significant threat to fundamental freedom of expression and the critical rights of whistleblowers engaged in the fight against corruption. This development is particularly disheartening in light of the President’s previous commitment to a people-centered legislative process.

The gravity of these apprehensions has been underscored by external validation, with the UN Human Rights Commission condemning the Cyber Crimes Act in its current form. AIPAC is deeply concerned that the Act's provisions could be weaponized to suppress dissenting voices, stifle critical reporting, and ultimately undermine ongoing efforts to combat corruption within Zambia. Both organizations are united in their call for urgent action.

AIPAC has explicitly urged the Ministry of Justice to revisit and revise the Cyber Crimes Act, advocating for its alignment with international human rights standards. The goal is to ensure the robust protection of fundamental freedoms and the promotion of a just society. They insist that the people of Zambia deserve legislative processes that are unequivocally transparent, inclusive, and genuinely reflective of their needs and rights. It is imperative, AIPAC argues, for the Ministry of Justice to prioritize stakeholder concerns and engage in meaningful consultations to amend the Act. Similarly, ZCLU reinforces the need for genuine engagement on Bill 7.

Both civil society groups collectively call upon the UPND administration to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to upholding human rights and the rule of law by taking immediate and decisive action to review and amend the Cyber Crimes Act and ensure Bill 7 does not proceed without proper consultation. AIPAC, alongside other civil society entities like ZCLU, remains steadfast in its dedication to advocating for policies and laws that champion good governance, transparency, and accountability across Zambia.