Zambia's 2026 Elections: The Stalled Human Rights Reforms You Need to Watch

Lusaka, Zambia, MMN Correspondent: Can a country reclaim the promise of democracy after a season of setbacks? As Zambia's 13 August 2026 general elections draw closer, that question is on the minds of many citizens and observers. The country is at a moment of real possibility. The path forward depends on choices that leaders and voters are making right now.

In August 2021, Zambians turned out in large numbers and elected Hakainde Hichilema with hopes for a new era. His early tenure delivered meaningful reforms, including the repeal of criminal defamation of the president, the abolition of the death penalty, and the adoption of the Access to Information Act. Those actions signaled a shift toward transparency and respect for fundamental rights.

Now, a new Amnesty International briefing offers a careful look at how quickly that spirit can fade. The report documents ways authorities are using certain laws to limit peaceful dissent and independent media. Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International's Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, says the hopes of 2021 have not yet turned into lasting protection. Authorities have resorted to a familiar playbook of using the law to criminalize peaceful dissent and silence independent media.

One central finding is that fast-moving legislation is narrowing civic space. Several bills have been debated, amended, and passed within days, leaving little room for public input. That process weakens the idea that laws should reflect the will of the people. The Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) Bill, now before Parliament, is a notable example. It would give the government broad authority over the registration, suspension, and dissolution of civil society groups. Organizations devoted to transparency and accountability could find their work drastically limited.

The Public Order Act, a law from the colonial era, continues to restrict peaceful assembly. It has been criticized by domestic and international bodies for years. In May 2026, Parliament passed a replacement called the Public Gatherings Bill. President Hichilema declined to assent, citing inconsistencies with judicial precedents. This leaves the legal framework unsettled. The cancellation of RightsCon, a global technology and human rights conference, in May 2026 highlights the practical consequences of that uncertain terrain.

Newer digital laws have also raised concerns. The Cyber Security Act and the Cyber Crimes Act 2025 contain broad provisions that can interfere with private communication and personal data. In practice, these measures are being used to investigate government critics, journalists, activists, and opposition politicians. Journalists who cover corruption or sensitive political issues have described persistent harassment, unlawful surveillance, and criminal investigations. The vagueness of the defamation and harassment clauses creates a chilling effect, pushing many outlets toward self-censorship ahead of the election.

The report is built on interviews with 14 human rights defenders, seven journalists, four student leaders, and two opposition politicians. Their experiences reveal a pattern of intimidation that is often left unexamined. Politically motivated attacks against opposition members rarely lead to investigations, and civil society consultations are sometimes treated as formalities. Token engagement of this kind can erode trust in public participation.

There is still time to change direction. Amnesty International is calling on authorities to stop using laws to suppress fundamental freedoms. The next government can take concrete steps: repeal the NGO Act and revise the proposed NGO Bill to match international standards, replace the Public Order Act with a framework that supports peaceful assembly, and amend the cyber laws to protect freedom of expression and privacy. Public consultations should be genuine, transparent, and inclusive, because that is how democracies rebuild trust.

The 2026 elections are more than a routine vote. They are an opportunity for Zambians to decide how the country will protect human rights in the years ahead. In many ways, this is a referendum on how Zambia defines democracy for the next decade. Candidates who are serious about democracy will say clearly how they plan to restore confidence in the law. As Chagutah puts it, "As Zambia goes to the polls, the authorities must immediately end the misuse of laws to suppress the rights to freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly and media freedom." The world is watching, and the important choices belong to Zambia.