ZAMBIA
In the Republic of Zambia recent development have shown a decrease of security among Human Rights Defenders, mainly Human Rights Lawyers and Media practitioners. Violations of freedom of association and freedom of peaceful assembly have characterized the working environment of Human Rights Defenders in Zambia. For instance on 3rd March 2017 Linda Kasonde, the President of Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) was attacked by a group of Young People close to the Zambian ruling party. The attackers accused her of working with Zambian opposition party. Similarly, the Zambian Head of State, Mr. Eduard Lungu qualified as illegal a public meeting that was being planned by the opposition members to take place on 15th April 2017 and which aimed at showing support to the opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema who was detained at Mukobeko Maximum Security Prison. Harassment against Human Rights Defenders and Independent media should continue to be a point of concern to both Civil Society Organizations and State considering that it is impossible to achieve access to justice and peace without respect for the rights of Human Right Defenders in Zambia[1]
Besides, the use of excessive force by security personnel, restrictions on freedom of expression and the independence of the Judiciary among others have deeply impacted Zambian progress in human rights and consequently trigger inadequate protection for Human Rights Defenders who stand to denounce a dysfunctional political system that interfere with the operations of the judiciary[2].
[1] https://monitor.civicus.org/newsfeed/2017/04/27/zambia/
[2] https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/africa/zambia/report-zambia/