Zambia revises Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Bills after consultations with civil society to align with human rights and press freedom standards.
The Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Bills of Zambia reached maturity through multiple sessions of consultation with representatives from civil society organizations and human rights defenders and media stakeholders.
The new amendments focus on protecting human rights as well as freedom of the press.
Civil society organizations expressed constitutional reservations regarding specific bill sections because they believed the laws would provide the government with too much power.
President Hakainde Hichilema chose to hold back the legislation so stakeholders could participate more extensively.
A Technical Committee conducted a review of concerns which motivated them to introduce essential amendments to the key provisions.
The revisions adjust report submission protocols alongside new security system oversight processes to maintain safety of civil liberties and state security interests.
The Committee to Protect Journalists urged the government to drop the proposed bills because they contained provisions that might outlaw defamation and limit investigative journalism.
According to CIPESA the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa stronger mechanisms for human rights safeguards and oversight must be implemented.
Civil society organizations and other groups have approved the updated bills as they prepare to return to Parliament.
The newly enacted legislation requires public education through ministries of Technology and Science while working with Home Affairs and Internal Security to teach citizens about their rights protected by the new laws.
The country demonstrates its dedication to cybersecurity by establishing new legislation that protects democratic freedoms.
