Candidates running in Zambia’s general elections on 13 August must commit to reversing a growing pattern of authoritarian practices that threaten human rights before, during and after the polls, Amnesty International said today.
In a new briefing, Authoritarian Practices Eating Away at Human Rights in Zambia: Escalating crackdown on human rights ahead of the 2026 general elections, Amnesty International documents how the authorities have intensified their crackdown on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, association, expression and media freedom through broadly vague and hurriedly passed laws, curtailing participation ahead the August 2026 general elections.
“In 2021, Zambians voted in the hope for change following promises to respect human rights. Instead, authorities have resorted to the familiar playbook of using the law to criminalize peaceful dissent and silence independent media,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa.
In 2021, Zambians voted in the hope for change following promises to respect human rights. Instead, authorities have resorted to the familiar playbook of using the law to criminalize peaceful dissent and silence independent media.
