Zambia has become the latest Southern African country to enact an Access to Information law, following Namibia, which did so in 2022.
President Hakainde Hichilema signed the bill on 22 December 2023, more than 20 years after it was initially proposed in parliament. While some have applauded the change, rights campaigners claim it still falls short of international norms.
The new law, yet to be operationalised, will allow any individual to request unclassified information from the government on any matter of public concern.
The new law intends to provide access to information, as stipulated by the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. It also explains the processes for requesting information and designates Zambia’s Human Rights Commission as the supervision body for such requests.
According to the United Nations, access to information encourages people’s engagement in governance, boosts public trust in government, and strengthens the legitimacy of public institutions.
Earlier this year, the Minister of Information and Media, Cornelius Mweetwa, introduced the ATI Bill to parliament for consideration, and it was passed before the session ended.
Cornelius, who is also the chief government spokesperson, said on the occasion that the new law is in line with the administration‘s campaign promise to promote human rights and democracy.
The president has assented to the Access to Information bill, which is now law, which has widened further the democratic space in Zambia, the precincts within which citizens freely participate in engaging the government.
Cornelius Mweetwa
Other African countries that have enacted legislation governing access to information are Angola, Malawi, Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
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