Access to Information Bill Reintroduced to Parliament

The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has expressed its delight at the Cabinet granting approval for the reintroduction of the Access to Information (ATI) Bill to Parliament.

Reintroduction of the ATI to Parliament discussion brings Zambia one step closer to re-enacting the Act itself. The Act is designed to grant citizens unhindered access to information, and to promote the values of transparency and accountability. The right to information is explicitly included in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in turn the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa – documents which Zambia is a signatory of.

The CSPR welcomed the incoming parliamentary discussion of the Act, and said that enacting the law is long overdue. The Bill was first conceived in 2002 by the Movement for Multiparty Development government. For 10 years, the bill remained in its consultative stage, after which no government cabinets promoted the bill. President Hichilema’s UPND party campaign included enacting the ATI in its campaign promises.

Bringing the ATI into legislation would hold the Zambian government to account in terms of citizens’ needs and interests regarding information access. The ATI would therefore be considered a milestone towards guaranteeing more transparent and accountable governance.

At present, Zambian law dictates that the government may allow public scrutiny of documents, but at its own discretion and without public contest. The ATI, when it has been signed into law, will formally enshrine the right of Zambian citizens to access information about governmental decisions, and allow them to better understand their socio-economic and civil rights.