The proposed Public Gatherings Bill has received support from a number of political parties and civil society groups, who hail it as progressive.
The Public Gatherings Bill aims to repeal the Public Order Act of 1955, which has been utilized throughout time to stifle protests and opposition assemblies.
SABOI IMBOELA, the president of the opposition National Democratic Congress, claims that the Public Gatherings Bill incorporates all of the suggestions provided by political parties to the Zambia Law Development Commission.
Ms. IMBOELA stated the process leading to the writing of the bill was very consultative and that perspectives from political parties were incorporated in an interview with ZNBC news in Lusaka.
And RAPHAEL NAKACHINDA, the information chair for the Opposition Patriotic Front, stated that the party will only respond after seeing the actual paper.
The Southern African Center for Constructive Resolution of Disputes, or SACCORD, stated that Zambians will now be able to gather freely and express themselves thanks to the amendment of the Public Order Act.
The Public Gatherings Bill, which aims to replace the Public Order Act, has elements that Executive Director of SACCORD BONIFACE CHEMBE described as highly advanced.
And GUESS NYIRENDA, the executive director of Operation Young Vote, claimed that the Public Gatherings Bill introduced a human rights perspective to the management of people.
According to Mr. NYIRENDA, the bill’s current version includes progressive measures that should be backed.
