Candidates running in Zambia’s general elections on 13 August must commit to reversing a growing pattern of authoritarian practices that threaten human rights before, during and after the polls, Amnesty International said today.
In a new briefing, Authoritarian Practices Eating Away at Human Rights in Zambia: Escalating crackdown on human rights ahead of the 2026 general elections, Amnesty International documents how the authorities have intensified their crackdown on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, association, expression and media freedom through broadly vague and hurriedly passed laws, curtailing participation ahead the August 2026 general elections.
“In 2021, Zambians voted in the hope for change following promises to respect human rights. Instead, authorities have resorted to the familiar playbook of using the law to criminalize peaceful dissent and silence independent media,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa.
The briefing notes that despite some reforms including the repeal of the offence of criminal defamation of the president; the abolition of the death penalty; and the enactment of the Access to Information Act, there is a growing pattern of misuse of laws and the criminal justice system to suppress peaceful dissent and entrench political power.
“These laws have not only been used as the key tools for restricting dissent but also unleashing the punitive power of the state. The result is weaker accountability for human rights violations, erosion of the rule of law, and increasing barriers to access information,” said Tigere Chagutah.
In May 2026 Amnesty International interviewed 14 human rights defenders and representatives of civil society organizations including faith-based organizations, seven journalists, four student leaders and two opposition politicians. They described a pattern of intimidation, harassment and other human rights violations linked to their legitimate work.
The briefing also highlights how the Zambian government has a history of introducing laws with some affecting civic space through fast-tracked processes, a pattern that continues with lawmakers debating, amending and voting on large numbers of bills within days. This significantly affects public participation in the law-making process.
Amnesty International calls on the Zambian authorities to end the growing pattern of repression of dissent and independent media and to ensure that all laws affecting civic space are developed through transparent, inclusive and meaningful public consultations.
A pattern of regression to authoritarian practices
The briefing documents an alarming escalation in human rights violations and concludes that authorities have created an environment conducive to abuses ahead of the general elections.
As part of an ongoing effort to tighten control over civil society, Amnesty International highlights the proposed Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) Bill currently before Parliament which would have a negative impact on the right to freedom of association in Zambia. The bill would grant the government excessive powers over the registration, regulation, suspension and dissolution of civil society organizations, seriously undermining their independence.
“The intention appears to be the selective use of these powers to curtail the work of civil society organizations, by weakening their vital role in promoting transparency, accountability, and human rights,” said Tigere Chagutah.
The briefing also notes that the cancellation of RightsCon, (the largest global tech and human rights conference) in May 2026, showed that restrictions on civic space in Zambia.
Amnesty International urges authorities to repeal the NGO Act and revise the proposed Non-Governmental Organizations bill to ensure full compliance with international human rights standards.
The briefing further highlights the continued operation of the colonial era Public Order Act, despite repeated recommendations by domestic and international bodies that it be repealed. The Act continues to impose severe restrictions on the right to peaceful assembly. On 12 May 2026, Parliament passed the Public Gatherings Bill to replace the Public Order Act of 1955. However, the bill has not been made law as President Hakainde Hichilema declined to assent to it, citing inconsistencies between the Bill and “established judicial precedents.”
Amnesty International reiterates its call for the repeal of the Public Order Act and for a comprehensive review of the Public Gatherings Bill, to ensure that any regulation of public assemblies facilitates, rather than restricts the exercise of the right to peaceful assembly, in accordance with international human rights standards.
The briefing also documents that several provisions of the Cyber Security Act and the Cyber Crimes Act 2025 and (Cyber Laws) have contributed significantly to the deterioration of the right to freedom of expression in Zambia. The two laws were enacted to repeal and replace the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act, No. 2 of 2021, they continue to provide broad powers that interfere with private communication, permit arbitrary interference with personal data and property, and restrict the rights to freedom of expression, association and conscience.
The briefing documents how authorities are increasingly using these laws to arrest government critics, journalists, activists and opposition politicians, creating a widespread climate of fear and self-censorship.
“The Cyber Crimes Act, particularly its provisions relating to defamation and harassment, raises serious concerns for human rights including the right to freedom of expression. It has become a tool to silence independent media and government critics, and to suppress public debate at a time when scrutiny of government actions and media freedom are essential ahead of the elections,” said Tigere Chagutah.
Journalists interviewed by Amnesty International also reported persistent harassment, intimidation, unlawful surveillance and criminal investigations for doing their work, especially when reporting on allegations of corruption, human rights abuses or politically sensitive issues.
The research found that politically motivated attacks against opposition members were not routinely investigated, contributing to a climate of fear and impunity.
The briefing also documents legislative processes that deliberately curtail public participation. Civil society organizations told Amnesty International that parliamentary consultations frequently amounted to little more than procedural formalities, despite formal invitations to participate.
“As Zambia goes to the polls, the authorities must immediately end the misuse of laws to suppress the rights to freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly and media freedom. The next government should prioritize repealing or amending laws that are incompatible with Zambia’s Constitution and the country’s international human rights obligations,” said Tigere Chagutah.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.
