President Hakainde Hichilema announced the move Dec. 23, which “followed years of lobbying by concerned stakeholders such as the National Human Rights Commission, civil society groups, development partners, the UN team and other partners,” it said.
the UN team in Zambia will be led by Resident Coordinator Beatrice Mutali.
Several UN agencies there contributed to this milestone by providing the authorities with a wide range of technical assistance.
Permissions check support
For example, the UN Development Program (UNDP) and the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) supported the country in preparing for the UN Human Rights Council‘s Universal Periodic Reviews (UPR), including the fourth review planned for this year.
The UPR process was established in 2006 to review the human rights records of all 193 UN member states. It is conducted by a working group that meets three times a year, with 14 countries reviewed at each meeting.
The abolition of the death penalty has always been included as a key issue in the first, second and third periodic reviews.
“Breakthrough moment” in May
President Hichilema took office in August 2021, and a “breakthrough moment” occurred the following May when the leader and the new Zambian government pledged to abolish the death penalty and work with parliament to that end, the statement said.
Since then, the UN team has stepped up its lobbying work, culminating in December’s celebration of International Human Rights Day with government partners.
The UN team also assisted in the review, amendment and enactment of ordinary laws, including the Criminal Code and the Public Order Code, which also contributed to the recent criminalization of defamation of the President.
The UN and the Zambian government also recently signed a new partnership roadmap covering the next five years.
“Through this UN Framework for Sustainable Development, the country team will continue to support the government’s efforts to consolidate democracy, human rights and the rule of law,” the statement said.
