CHAPTER ONE FOUNDATION HAILS HH FOR REJECTING CCTV BILL.
The Chapter One Foundation has commended President Hakainde Hichilema for declining to assent to the CCTV Bill, a decision disclosed by the Clerk of the National Assembly in Parliament.
Chapter One Foundation Executive Director Josiah Kalala says the move demonstrates constitutional responsibility, restraint, and respect for due process, noting the serious human rights implications associated with surveillance legislation.
Mr. Kalala says the President’s decision sets an important governance standard that should apply to all legislation, emphasizing that where a law risks overreach, constitutional safeguards must take precedence before enactment.
Using the CCTV Bill as a national reference point, the Foundation has called on the President to direct a comprehensive, human-rights-based review of all existing and proposed laws that affect fundamental rights and freedoms.
Mr. Kalala says the matter goes beyond a single Bill and requires a coherent, system-wide national respons, adding that the objective should be to establish a legal framework that is constitutionally compliant, rights-respecting, accountable, and trusted by the public.
The Foundation has further called for a more accountable law-making process, urging meaningful public participation, timely publication of draft laws in accessible language, and rigorous constitutional and human rights impact assessments before and during parliamentary consideration.
Mr. Kalala says the review process should include precise legal drafting, clear limits on discretionary authority, independent oversight, and effective judicial safeguards, particularly in cases involving intrusive state action.
He also stresses the need for strict data governance standards, transparent reporting obligations, and accessible remedies where rights are violated.
The Chapter One Foundation maintains that respect for human rights is not a barrier to security or development, but rather the foundation of legitimate and sustainable governance, essential to building strong institutions and long-term public trust.
By Joseph Tamali Banda