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The Action Institute for Policy Analysis Centre (AIPAC) has strongly criticized the Zambian government for pushing forward with Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 and the recently enacted Cyber Crimes Act, accusing it of ignoring stakeholder concerns and undermining democratic principles.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday, AIPAC Executive Director, Solomon Ngoma, said the government had betrayed public trust by disregarding prior commitments to transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance.
Ngoma warned that proceeding with the two controversial pieces of legislation without addressing widespread objections would be “politically suicidal.”
“Despite President Hichilema’s meeting with stakeholders at State House where key agreements were reached, those voices were shockingly ignored,” he stated.
He further argued that the Cyber Crimes Act, which has already been passed into law, contains provisions that threaten freedom of expression and weaken protections for whistleblowers in the fight against corruption.
“This development is particularly disheartening given the President’s public commitment to a people-centred legislative process,” Ngoma said.
He added that recent criticism of the law by the UN Human Rights Commission only amplified the serious concerns raised by civil society and the media.
“AIPAC is concerned that the Act’s provisions may be used to suppress dissent, stifle critical reporting, and undermine the anti-corruption agenda,” he said.
Ngoma urged the Ministry of Justice to revisit the Cyber Crimes Act and align it with international human rights standards to safeguard civil liberties and promote a just and democratic society.
“The people of Zambia deserve legislative processes that are transparent, inclusive, and reflective of their rights and needs,” he stressed.
Ngoma called on the UPND administration to demonstrate its commitment to human rights and the rule of law by undertaking immediate reforms to the Act.
He reaffirmed AIPAC’s commitment to advocating for policies that promote good governance, transparency, and accountability in Zambia.
Read More: More knocks against Zambian govt’s approach to constitutional amendment of Bill No. 7
Meanwhile, the Oasis Forum has launched a nationwide campaign dubbed the Coalition Against Constitution Bill No. 7, aimed at raising public awareness and mobilising opposition to what it has described as a narrow, non-inclusive, and election-driven constitutional reform process initiated by the UPND government.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka on Monday, Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) General Secretary, Father Emmanuel Chikoya, said the campaign seeks to galvanise public resistance through civic engagement, awareness activities, and peaceful demonstrations.
Chikoya noted that the Forum’s goal is to persuade the government to immediately withdraw the proposed Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025, citing its failure to reflect broad citizen participation, inclusivity, and national consensus.
“The Forum has noted with concern government’s determination to proceed with constitutional reforms despite the process lacking citizens’ participation and transparency on both the content and the method,” said Chikoya.
He argued that any legitimate constitutional amendment process must be people-driven and conducted in line with Article 79 of the Constitution, which mandates a participatory and consultative approach.
Chikoya criticized the Ministry of Justice for conducting consultations behind closed doors with select traditional leaders and unnamed stakeholders, warning that such an approach undermines public trust and legitimacy.
“As the Forum, it is our position that the process of amending the supreme law of the land should be inclusive, participatory, and widely accepted by citizens and stakeholders to assure a legitimate outcome,” he stated.
Describing the Constitution as a people’s document—not a partisan tool—Chikoya called on civil society organizations, faith-based groups, traditional leaders, and all citizens to join the coalition in opposing Bill No. 7.
He further dismissed assertions by the Minister of Justice that Zambia would lose valuable provisions if the process is halted, countering that “very little good will come out of the current flawed approach.”
Chikoya also criticized the government’s proposed measures to include women, youths, and persons with disabilities in governance structures as tokenistic and insufficient.
“We therefore urge government to listen to the voices of citizens, civil society organizations, the church, traditional leaders, and the legal profession, and withdraw Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025,” he stated.
He further appealed to Members of Parliament not to misuse their mandate by siding with the “arrogance of numbers” in Parliament to unilaterally amend the Constitution without public consent.
The Oasis Forum is a broad-based civil society platform comprising the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ), Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), Non-Governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC), and the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB).
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