Human Rights Council elections 2008 - Zambia

Amnesty International is concerned about restrictions of the right to freedom of expression, assembly and movement in Zambia. These include threats against journalists critical of the government, especially in the context of the continuing debate about proposed reforms of the Constitution.

Civil society organizations mobilizing to support the recommendations of the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) have had their rights to freedom of expression and assembly restricted. In August 2007, the controversial National Constitution Conference Act was approved, which allegedly reverses the recommendations of the CRC to repeal and replace the Constitution, a key demand of civil society.

In November 2007, the government temporarily withdrew the passport of opposition leader Michael Sata, which it accused him of having obtained without following the appropriate procedure. During a previous trip to the United States, Mr. Sata had publicly criticized Chinese investments in Zambia.

Such action by the government raised concerns about restrictions to Mr. Sata’s freedom of movement and consequent restrictions to his freedom of expression. On previous occasions also, the government has restricted the activities of Mr. Sata and his Patriotic Front party.

Amnesty International is also concerned that the NGO Bill, introduced in Parliament in July 2007 and still pending, threatens to restrict activities of the civil society, thereby violating their rights to freedom of expression and association. The bill includes provisions which would empower an Interior Minister appointed board to reject applications for registration of NGOs if their proposed activities do not fit within an undefined “national development plan”.

Finally, according to a 2008 report commissioned by UNDP, gender based violence, especially against women and children, continues to be an area of serious concern.

Recent Amnesty International statements and reports:

General

Amnesty International Annual Report extracts for Zambia, 2005-2007

Ratification of International Treaties

Treaty Status Recognition of specific competences of Treaty Bodies Reservations/Declarations
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Acceded None  
Optional Protocol to the ICCPR Acceded    
Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR on the death penalty      
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Acceded   Entered
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination againstWomen (CEDAW) Ratified    
Optional Protocol to CEDAW      
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of RacialDiscrimination Ratified None  
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or DegradingTreatment or Punishment (CAT) Acceded Art.20 (inquiry procedure)  
Optional Protocol to CAT      
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Ratified    
Optional Protocol to the CRC on children in armed conflict      
Optional Protocol to the CRC on the sale of children, childprostitution and child pornography      
International Conventionon the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of theirFamilies      
International Conventionfor the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance      
Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Ratified    
Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees Succeeded    
Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees Acceded    
The Four GenevaConventions Acceded    
Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions relating to the Protection of Victims ofInternational Armed Conflicts Acceded    
Protocol II to the Geneva Conventions relating to the Protection of Victims ofNon-International Armed Conflicts Acceded    
Protocol III to the Geneva Conventions relating to the Adoption of an AdditionalDistinctive Emblem      

Compliance with Reporting Obligations

Total Overdue Reports Up to 5 years overdue 5 -10 years overdue 10 years or more overdue
2 CEDAW:6th periodic report CEDAW: 5thperiodic report  

Cooperation with the Special Procedures

Extension of a standing invitation Outstanding visit requests(year requested) Forthcoming visits(dates if available) Missions carried outbetweenMay 2007 and April 2008
None Special Representative on human rights defenders (2003)
Special Rapporteur on toxic waste (2007)		 None None