The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has urged the Government to take concrete steps to safeguard freedom of expression and opinion.
JCTR Deputy Director Fr Boyd Nyirenda said upholding fundamental rights is crucial not only for the protection of human dignity but also for fostering a democratic society that thrives on open dialogue, transparency, and inclusivity.
Fr Nyirenda said freedom of expression IS a cornerstone of democracy.
“JCTR urges the Zambian Government to take concrete steps to safeguard freedom of expression and opinion. Upholding this fundamental right is crucial not only for the protection of human dignity but also for fostering a democratic society that thrives on open dialogue, transparency, and inclusivity,” Fr. Nyirenda said in a statement.
He said to advance democracy and national development JCTR is proposing legal reforms, alignment with international human rights standards, effective implementation of access to information act and strengthening of democratic institutions.
“JCTR considers freedom of expression a cornerstone of democracy, as it encompasses the right to express religious and political views, access information, and engage with diverse opinions through various media. In light of this, the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection concurs with Khan’s assessment and proposes the following measures to advance democracy and national development: Legal Reforms and Institutional Accountability Zambia requires legal reforms accompanied by clear policies to ensure professionalism among law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities,” Fr. Nyirenda said.
“The fair and non-discriminatory application of laws would encourage equal political participation, uphold the right to religious and political assembly, and foster public trust by reducing suspicions of political persecution and ethnic bias. This political environment aligns with Zambia’s constitutional declaration as a Christian nation and a pluralistic society, where civil society plays a crucial role in providing checks and balances on political authority and social institutions,” he said.
JCTR has published this document, following a 10-day visit to Zambia, by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, Irene Khan, who highlighted both advancements and concerns regarding the right to freedom of speech in the country.
Advance freedom of speech by more freedom of speech. That’s the only way to drown out garbage speech!
Here there two types of speech and from two different sources.
If one calls on the president to deliver on his promises….does that warrant an arrest? No! But people are being arrested.
If someone calls the president *****that is a case not just the president but any citizen can sue.
Source…..if a Upnd insults a person like Edgar as seen from a Upnd cader Gabrita or whatever his name… nothing happens.
A non Upnd says something and especially if it involves tribe X that person is arrested immediately.
Bill Kapinga told an opposition leader to go to hell right on this forum. The police haven’t instituted any action on him. Yet they are chasing anyone who says “HH is sick”. The laws are so selectively imposed in our free country
Several organisations and individuals have called them out against the same. Being without ears, government can NOT hear from anyone or anybody. They have no cause for doing the right thing because to themselves they have never been wrong or crossed anyone’s path. So self righteous, so to speak.
There is vague notion about Government effecting arrest. Who is this government as I only see the Police effecting arrest. Lets have proof and stop spreading innuendo. Right now “abduction is trending. No the Police are very clear that the suspect has been arrested and he has named two people.
Stop trying to “faka dynoko” this is what cause this same character being arrested. Boza. If someone insults you or is tribal, report to the Police. They will investigate. If they dont report to the Police complaints commission. If they dont there is the Public Prosecutor. We need to hold people accountable and institutions to work. When they dont or the individuals dont do their work. They need to be removed and make way for others who have the drive for the task.
Ba Jackson please don’t play games…. HH openly directed the police to arrest Jay Jay Banda for a case that was done away with several years back…. what does that tell you?
Ndweee…isnt and grumbling mu web page….awe. Speak up, if its right people will hear and stamd with you. But ma innuendo ya boza yayi pluzi….ba Father should not also be one sided. Nzelu za Mwamba na boza he needs to speak to that. Boza ya Lubinda ku Petauke he should speak to that. We want balance. Ngati ba UPND ba nama….prove it and it will be addressed. Petauke structures we dissolved. Why? They lied and failed. Thank you next? Kamoko fired. Need I go on?
Where was JCTR during the brutal rule of PF?
Imwe every time is PF this PF that,4 years has passed and yet you are still reffering to PF whom we kicked out because of the same vices we are condeming,you guys are just failures!
They were equally active as they are now. You want to brand them pro opposition?
CONCRETE STEPS means government or the ruling party should not play any role in dissemination of information or news. In any DEMOCRACY, govt doesn’t interfere with press freedom because for people to choose a govt they must have free speech.
Thus ZNBC should be free of government control. In two African states, Mauritius and South Africa governments have turned such govt funded broadcasters into PUBLIC BROADCASTERS. This means they are not State Broadcasters. They are independent from government administration. They are only answerable to parliament because the house approves their funding.
@Dejavu prove your assertions. Name names who was there when that directive was being made? From cows, herds, wakaso now this.
Dont you get tired of lables and name calling to spread your lies.
Tell us who else was there when HH directed law enforcement to arrest Jay jay? Next you will say he direct and was there during the said “abduction”.
Jay jay is a criminal from the time he stole money and assulted a Police man at Central Police station. Urinating on a Journalist is not a crime? Stop supporting tu ma wanna be thugs. Stop spreading lies. Or come up with who was there, where when these directives were made.