UN Expert on Freedom of Expression Visits Zambia Amid Hope and Concern

January 17, 2025 – Switzerland – 

From January 20 to 31, 2025, Irene Khan, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, conducted an official visit to Zambia. The mission aimed to assess the state of free expression, media freedom, and access to information in the country, as well as the legal frameworks that govern them.

Khan’s visit included meetings with government officials, judiciary representatives, journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society groups across several cities, including Lusaka, Livingstone, and Kitwe. Her focus was to evaluate whether Zambia’s laws and practices align with its obligations under international human rights standards, particularly in protecting press freedom, civic space, and the safety of media professionals.

Zambia’s constitution guarantees freedom of expression, but challenges persist. In recent years, press freedom groups have expressed concern over restrictive media laws, political interference, and harassment of journalists. Though the current government has made commitments to reform and open civic space, activists argue that more needs to be done to safeguard independent journalism and dissenting voices.

During her mission, Khan also examined how online expression is regulated, the treatment of whistleblowers, and whether state institutions are promoting or obstructing transparency. She paid special attention to the working conditions of women journalists and marginalized voices in the media landscape.

Her preliminary findings were shared at a press conference on January 31 at the UN House in Lusaka. A detailed report and set of recommendations will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2025. The outcomes of her visit are expected to guide future reforms in Zambia’s legal and policy environment related to freedom of expression.

Reference –

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/01/un-expert-freedom-expression-visit-zambia