Fact Finding Missions

Zambia

In August 1996, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative sent a fact-finding team to Zambia to examine the situation of civil and political rights. At that time, the run-up to the country's second multi-party elections (following the end of the one-party state in 1991) had just begun; and concerns had been raised regarding complaints from opposition parties and civic organisations. These centred on allegations that the electoral registration process was unfair, that state control of the broadcast media favoured the ruling party, that state control of the broadcast media favoured the ruling party, that a constitutional amendment would debar ex-President Kaunda from competing, and that corruption near the heart of government was destroying faith in the political process.

The CHRI received an invitation from three Zambian organisations - the Law Association of Zambia (affiliated to the Commonwealth Lawyers Association), the Zambia Independent Media Association (affiliated to the Commonwealth Journalists Association), and the Law Resources Foundation. The Mission was mandated to explore what was happening, particulary in relation to the Commonwealth benchmark of the Harare Declaration, and to make recommendations. In doing so, members of the Mission met with a wide cross-section of individuals and organisations.

Click here for the
Report on Zambia:
"Zambia: Democracy on Trial"