India, Aug. 10 -- Zambia is facing renewed concerns over civic freedoms as voters prepare for the August 13 general elections, with Amnesty International warning that stalled reforms and expanded state powers could undermine recent human rights progress.
Laws Under Scrutiny
In a briefing released on August 10, Amnesty International said authorities have increasingly relied on vaguely worded and rapidly enacted laws to restrict peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, association and media activity. The organisation said this pattern risks limiting public participation during the election period.
The watchdog acknowledged reforms introduced since 2021, including the repeal of criminal defamation of the president, abolition of the death p...