Introduction
1. In accordance with Article 62 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Republic of Zambia which ratified the African Charter in January 1984 submitted its initial report to the African Commission.
2. The Initial Report of the Republic of Zambia was received at the Secretariat of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) in February, 2006 and was considered at the 41st Ordinary Session of the African Commission which took place in Accra, Ghana from 16 – 30 May 2007.
3. The Report was presented before the Commission by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Zambia.
4. The African Commission welcomes the submission of Zambia’s initial report and its subsequent presentation in an atmosphere of frankness that encouraged constructive dialogue between the distinguished representatives from Zambia and Members of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.
5. The present concluding observations flow from the presentation of the report. They highlight the positive aspects identified in the Report as well as the factors restricting the effective enjoyment of human and peoples’ rights in the country. They also underline areas of concern where, in the Commission’s view, action needs to be taken. Finally, recommendations have been made to the State on measures to be taken to enhance the enjoyment of human rights in general and the rights guaranteed in the African Charter in particular.
