The Zambia Free Press Initiative (FPI) says the Cyber Crimes and Cyber Security Bills tabled before the National Assembly, if enacted in their current form, will not cure the existing frustrations around human rights and freedom of expression violations facilitated by the 2021 law.
FPI Founder and Executive Director, Joan Chirwa, says if enacted in the current state, Cyber Crimes and Cyber Security Bills will be a continuation of restriction on online activities, prosecution of individuals expressing dissenting opinions, and undermining the privacy and security of citizens.
“This would be a devastating blow to our hard-won freedoms,” Ms. Chirwa told RCV News in Lusaka further saying this would also hurt the progress Zambia has made in promoting democracy and human rights.
Ms. Chirwa wondered why government was rushing with the said bills further calling for their withdrawal from the National Assembly to allow broader consultations with civil society, media organizations, and other stakeholders.
And Ms. Chirwa called for withdrawal of the of the Anti-Terrorism Bill, saying it poses a significant threat to democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression.
RCV NEWS
