The Human Rights Commission – Zambia (HRC-Z) has taken a significant step towards strengthening compliance with the Access to Information (ATI) Act No. 24 of 2023 following the recent engagement with information holders to validate minimum standards for compliance.
The validation meeting, held on Monday, 31st August 2026, at Sandy’s Creation in Chilanga District, brought together representatives of information holders from public bodies and civil society organisations to review and provide input to facilitate the finalisation of the draft ATI Minimum Standards.
Speaking during the meeting, HRC-Z Director for Education, Training and Advocacy, Mr. Mweela Muleya, reminded stakeholders that the ATI Act is already in force and that compliance with its provisions is mandatory for information holders.
Mr. Muleya stressed that the Minimum Standards must be clear, practical and consistent with the provisions of the Act, particularly as they will provide a framework for enforcing compliance in accordance with Section 41 of the ATI Act.
He explained that the draft Minimum Standards had undergone a rigorous review process involving various stakeholders and noted that the meeting represented the final validation stage before the document proceeds to gazetting and publication.
Stakeholders subsequently participated in a detailed correction exercise, during which they reviewed the draft provisions and proposed amendments aimed at making the Standards clearer, more practical and easier to implement.
Closing the meeting, HRC-Z Director for Compliance and Legal Services, Mr. Tyson Mudenda, emphasised the importance of stakeholder participation in developing Minimum Standards that are both effective and responsive to the realities of information holders and information seekers.
Mr. Mudenda encouraged stakeholders to continue submitting any outstanding recommendations to the Commission to ensure that the final document adequately reflects stakeholder input.
He thanked the participating institutions for their diligence, commitment and contribution towards advancing the implementation of the ATI Act, which he described as critical to the realisation of the right to freedom of expression and access to information guaranteed under Zambia’s Bill of Rights.
