DCAF: Reform to Management of Public Assemblies and Order in Zambia, 2022-23

Expected Results / Outcomes: The expected impact: The right to peaceful assembly is effectively protected and through a well-regulated system and model for public order with sufficient accountability safeguards to ensure a proportional and justified use of force is applied. OUTCOME 1: Legal Framework is amended to more effectively protect and ensure the right to assembly while legal or procedural barriers/obstacles for applying for permits or convening a peaceful assembly are effectively reduced: The Zambian Government and Police adopt regulatory standards and norms for public order that ensure greater protection and safeguards for rights to assembly and effectively but also develop an effective system of reviewing the merits of applications for public assembly that ensures applications for public assembly are only limited in cases where there is a clear and demonstratable risk to public safety or property. 2. Strengthening Oversight and Accountability in Use of Force and Management of Public Assemblies: Ensuring that the police are held to account for excessive use of force during public assemblies and for situations whereby police infringe on the right to peaceful assembly. 3. Police Reform: The police apply a more proportional response to authorising public assemblies and dealing with public order that is aligned to human rights standards and limits use of force with effective command and control safeguards to promote a more proportional response when managing public assemblies.