Halt amendments to Penal Code – Mwanza

…calls on government to withdraw Amendment Bill No.17 of 2024 to allow for further consultations. By NATION REPORTER TWO civil society organisations have rejected piecemeal amendments to the Penal Code and have since called for its withdraw for further consultation and refinement. The Zambian Civil Liberties Union (ZCLU) and Advocacy for National Development and Democracy (ANDD) say the law should be overhauled in its entirety. Isaac Mwanza, the ZCLU executive director and Samuel the ANDD executive director say (Amendment) Bill No. 17 of 2024 was vague, open to abuse, had overbroad language and did not meet constitutional and international standards. Mr Mwanza said the ZCLU was recommending a holistic approach to revising the Penal Code as piecemeal amendments, such as those proposed in the Bill, did not address the systemic issues within the Penal Code. “Instead, we advocate for a comprehensive overhaul of the Penal Code to ensure consistency, clarity, and alignment with Zambia’s constitutional […]