Govt. records strides in access to Justice

Government says it has taken steps to strengthen access to justice, including through the enactment of the Relocation Act No. 1 of 2021. Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha says the government has also expanded legal aid services, mobile courts and other measures aimed at bringing…

Government says it has taken steps to strengthen access to justice, including through the enactment of the Relocation Act No. 1 of 2021.

Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha says the government has also expanded legal aid services, mobile courts and other measures aimed at bringing justice closer to the communities.

Mr Kabesha, however, says access to justice also requires citizens to have access to information and be able to understand the law.

He says the simplification and translation of legislation, public legal education and the use of accessible communication platforms is critical in ensuring that citizens can effectively access justice.

The Attorney General said this when he officiated at the Law Reform Talks in Lusaka today.

 

Mr Kabesha explained that the law reforms should ensure that legislation remains relevant to the changing needs of society, particularly as technology, the economy and citizens’ expectations continue to evolve.

He said the Eighth National Development Plan recognises the importance of the rule of law, human rights, constitutionalism, access to justice, civic participation and policy and legal reforms in Zambia’s development agenda.

 

He said law reforms should therefore not be viewed as the responsibility of the legal sector alone, but as an integral part of national development.

The Attorney General observed that the theme of the Law Reform Talks provides an opportunity to reflect on the principle that ignorance of the law is not an excuse.

Mr Kabesha said it is therefore not sufficient for laws to merely exist in statute books, but citizens must also be assisted to access, comprehend and meaningfully use them.

Meanwhile, Zambia Law Development Commission (ZLDC) Board Chairperson Ruth Chibbabuka, represented by Commissioner Herrick Mpuku, said the commission’s 30th anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on its contribution to Zambia’s legal development.

 

Justice Chibbabuka said the commission has this year embarked on a project to simplify and translate the Constitution of Zambia Amendment Act and the Electoral Process Amendment Act into major local languages, as well as provide material in sign language and voice recordings.

She said the ZDLC has, over the past three decades, undertaken research, reviewed legislation, developed proposals for law reforms, conducted consultations and contributed to the development of legislation in various areas affecting Zambians.

She said the commission has also continued to engage stakeholders through legal seminars, conferences, national consultations and other platforms on issues including constitutional reforms, public service, child protection, land-based investments, environmental protection and emerging technologies.

She disclosed that the commission is further working to make the law more accessible and understandable to ordinary citizens through the translation and simplification of legislation, as well as the use of various communication platforms.

 

The Board Chairperson encouraged citizens to access the materials through the Commission’s website and social media platforms.

 

The ZLDC 30th anniversary is being held under the theme dubbed,” “Shaping Zambia’s future through law reforms.”