HRC encourages for submissions towards POA amendment

HRC Spokesperson Mweelwa Muleya

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) is urging individuals and institutions to take advantage of the on-going consultative meetings on the amendment of the Public Order Act (POA) and make submissions aimed at improving the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of assembly.

Commission Spokesperson Mweelwa Muleya says the Commission takes note that the amendment of the POA is one of the output indicators in the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) aimed at promoting an inclusive and democratic system of governance.

Mr Muleya says it is also one of the 183 recommendations which the Government accepted to implement during Zambia’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of her human rights record at the United Nations in Geneva in 2017.

He says it is therefore important that stakeholders turn up in large numbers during the on-going consultative meetings and make concrete recommendations on how the POA should contribute to improving the right to freedom of assembly and an inclusive democratic system of governance in Zambia.

Mr Muleya states that stakeholders must ensure that any provisions or regulations in the administration of the Public Order Act that make the required police notification for a public meeting have an effect of obtaining a police permit are removed to promote equality and non-discrimination in the exercise of the right to freedom of assembly and other related rights and freedoms.

The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) in conjunction with the Zambia Law Development Commission (ZLDC) is currently undertaking consultative meetings in Provincial Centres to facilitate public submissions on the proposed amendment of the POA.