News

At a workshop recently held to review a handbook for teachers of civic education, Zambia Open University lecturer Dr. Yizenge Chondoka urged Government to ensure civic education is taught from the lowest to the highest level of education in Zambia because the subject is important to prepare children for the future and build a nation of an enlightened citizenry.

On a recent trip to Isoka and Luwingu districts, Kasama Human Rights Office working in partnership with Anti-Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) found most people unaware of the importance of obtaining a National Registration Card (NRC).

Media regulation is importat to ensure free and unbiased reporting in the country, Human Rights Commission Director, Mr. Enoch Mulembe said when the Media Liaison Committee paid a courtesy call on him on 1st December 2009 to share findings of their study tour to South Africa on media self-regulation.

A training workshop for Human Rights Commission staff was conducted in Lusaka from 22nd to 24th December 2009 by the Department of Research and Planning to familiarize them with the concept of Annual State of Human Rights (ASHR) report and the issues around it.

Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Pastor Godfrida Sumaili, called for concerted efforts in protection of children’s rights in a statement issued at Mukuni Park in Livingstone during commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

Zambia’s Vice President, Hon. George Kunda, has urged that no-one should be discriminated against in the country today on the basis of one’s status.

The Human Rights Commission plans to hold a meeting with all political parties and other stakeholders to come up with ways of eliminating the threat of political violence in the country.

On the occasion of Zambia’s 45th Independence anniversary, the Human Rights Commission has congratulated the People of the Republic of Zambia for a peaceful existence since 1964.

Twenty-four (24) officers from the Zambia Police Victim Support Unit were trained by HRC during a workshop recently held in Lusaka from 9th to 11th September.

HRC is carrying out an evaluation to find out whether the National Plan of Action (NPA) has been effectively and efficiently implemented for period 1999 -2009.

Mbala’s Luse Community Orphanage Day Centre came under heavy criticism from HRC Commissioners for subjecting children to appalling conditions during the recent tour of prisons and police cells in Northern Province.

Community radio stations could significantly reduce ignorance and help clear misunderstanding on human rights, said Chief Information, Education and Training, Mr. Samuel Kasankha at human rights training workshops attended by over 40 community radio personnel in Livingstone and Ndola.

On July 29, HRC held an Open Forum on HIV and AIDS and human rights at Alliance Francaise in Lusaka for stakeholders to discuss ‘less talked about’ issues on HIV transmission among the vulnerable groups and the criminalization of HIV transmission in Zambia.

The Deputy Chairperson of Committees of the Whole House of the National Assembly of Zambia, Hon. Mkhondo Lungu, MP officially launched the HRC 2008 State of Human Rights Report on July 23, at Lusaka Museum in Lusaka.

The long-awaited Office of the Commissioner for Children (OCC) was launched on July, 28 in Lusaka.