CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS COALITION ON PUBLIC ORDER ACT REFORM
AS National Restoration Party (NAREP), we would like to thank President Hakainde Hichilema for launching the National Youth Policy at the 2024 Youth National Indaba which took place at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.
As Narep, we pledge to study the document carefully and give advice where it is lacking.
We also intend to be able to supplement the government’s efforts to look into the plight of the country’s young people.
We have followed the deliberations of the 2024 Youth National Indaba, and noted that there is great emphasis on the promotion of the agricultural sector which is very important as well as the promotion of science and technology.
Narep takes recognition of the government’s plan to develop the education and sports sectors just to mention a few.
Narep also notes the gap still existing in the development of young political leaders in Zambia and as such we would like to engage the government through the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts to consider engaging young political leaders in the country so that we are able to groom and enable them to contribute to the development of the country in all sectors of the society and of which politics plays a major role.
This calls for engagement of all young aspiring political leaders across the country on non partisan lines to ensure we are not leaving anyone behind as we grow our democracy and better governance.
TThe objective of the meeting was to dialogue on issues around Public Order Act reform and CSOs submission of a joint position paper on the Public Gatherings Bill.
During the cordial engagement, the CSOs expressed concerns about lack of transparency and uncertainty of the reform process and urged the government to provide a clear roadmap and ensure greater transparency in the process through regular updates to the public at every stage of the legislative process to avoid anxieties among the stakeholders.
Whilst recognizant of progress in the reform process shown with the handing over of the Public Gathering Bill to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security and the Ministry of Justice by the Zambia Law Development Commission on January 16, 2023, the CSOs expressed concern over the slow pace of the legislative process since then and urges Government to expedite the process of enacting the Bill into law.
Furthermore, CSOs called on Government to recognise the importance of enacting a law that will facilitate rather than one that over regulates so that citizens are assured of their enjoyment of their rights to Freedom of Association, Expression and Assembly in line with best practices as enshrined in international and regional human rights conventions.
The government was urged to embrace the mindset change of the Zambia Police and adopt a Human Rights-based approach when applying the law once enacted.
The CSOs submitted the position paper to the minister and shared highlights contained therein and reiterated its earlier position that the Public Gathering Bill is largely a progressive Bill that can address people's concerns if well implemented.
The minister expressed Government's resolve in delivering a good law that will satisfy the citizens.
He expressed Government’s resolve to table the Bill in parliament within this year, 2024.
He also expressed gratitude with the CSOs approach to dialogue and committed to review the position paper in its entirety and incorporate some of the views in the final Bill to be tabled in Parliament.
The minister was aware of concerns by some citizens’ perception on the civic space. However, he reiterated the government’s desire to continue opening up the civic and political space and strengthen democracy for the benefit of its people.