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Chapter One Foundation has applied to the Constitutional Court to join the ongoing case in which the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) is challenging the constitutionality of the newly enacted cyber laws.
The human rights organisation argues that the Cyber Crimes Act No. 4 of 2025 directly undermines its work, particularly its freedom of expression and its ability to promote accountability and defend human rights online. It therefore believes it will be directly impacted by the outcome of the case.
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In an affidavit in support of the application, Chapter One Foundation chairperson, Sara Hlupekile Longwe, explained that the organisation had initially prepared its own petition to contest several provisions of the cyber laws.
However, it later decided to apply for joinder to avoid duplicating proceedings and to save the court’s time.
Longwe noted that Chapter One had previously pursued constitutional cases before Zambian courts between 2019 and 2022, focusing on defending rights, freedoms, and constitutional values.
She said the organisation’s track record demonstrated its vested interest in matters affecting governance and the rule of law.
LAZ filed a petition in the Lusaka High Court seeking to strike down sections of the Cyber Security Act No. 3 of 2025 and the Cyber Crimes Act No. 4 of 2025, describing them as unconstitutional.
The Attorney-General has been cited as the respondent in the matter, in his role as the government’s principal legal advisor.
Chapter One’s affidavit further stated that its mandate as a registered NGO was to protect human rights, constitutionalism, and good governance.
It argued that the cyber laws posed a direct threat to these objectives.
By joining LAZ’s case, the foundation says it hopes to strengthen the challenge while avoiding unnecessary duplication of court actions.
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