Yesterday morning, NGOCC Executive Director, Ms. Anamela, led a delegation of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to a crucial meeting with the Republican President, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema. The discussion revolved around the contentious Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Bills, which have sparked significant public debate.
Speaking on behalf of the CSOs, Ms. Anamela acknowledged the importance of fostering a safe and conducive cyberspace but highlighted that the proposed laws were fundamentally flawed. She described them as “highly undemocratic, unconstitutional, and infringing on the rights and freedoms of citizens.” She called for broader consultations to rebuild trust between the government and the public.
“Your Excellency, the lack of effective engagement on the Cyber Bills has eroded trust between stakeholders and the government, creating challenges that could hinder other critical reforms, including constitutional reforms,” Ms. Anamela stated.
She further pointed out delays in addressing democratic reforms, such as the review of the Public Order Act and police reforms, as additional factors contributing to the erosion of trust.
Concerns Over the NGO Bill
Ms. Anamela also criticized the lack of adequate consultations on the NGO Bill, describing it as another example of poorly handled legislative reforms.
“Your Excellency, reforms affecting civil society and their work, such as the NGO Act review, have undermined trust in law reform processes. The draft NGO Bill fell short of expectations, raising concerns about the absence of a rights-based approach in drafting legislation,” she said.
She emphasized the need for participatory and transparent processes in law-making to protect and uphold the rights of all Zambians.
President Hichilema’s Response
In response, President Hakainde Hichilema reassured the delegation of his government’s commitment to ensuring appropriate laws in the country. He acknowledged the importance of listening to stakeholders to reach a consensus on contentious issues.
“The idea of a meeting is to hear each other, hear the issues, and agree on how to proceed in terms of what it is we agree and what we do not agree upon. The intention of this government is to ensure that it listens to its people and reaches common ground,” President Hichilema said.
He cited a past example of the mining bill, which was reconsidered after concerns were raised, as a testament to the government’s willingness to engage constructively.
Way Forward
The meeting concluded with an agreement to form a smaller technical team comprising representatives from the government and CSOs. This team will work together to review the cyber laws and ensure they align with democratic principles and citizens’ rights.
The delegation included representatives from Chapter One Foundation, the Law Association of Zambia, the Media Institute of Southern Africa, Transparency International Zambia, Free Press Initiative, and Bloggers of Zambia, among others.
This dialogue underscores the critical importance of collaboration between the government and civil society in shaping laws that respect democratic values and protect the freedoms of citizens.
