The Human Rights Commission of Zambia (HRC-Z) has underscored the importance of the digital space for citizens to exercise their freedom of expression while respecting the rights of others, as online interactions continue to expand.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting on elections and human rights in Chipata on 6 March 2026, HRC-Z Manager for Human Rights Advocacy, Mr. Simon Mulumbi, said the digital space had become an important platform for citizens to exercise the right to freedom of expression, which is fundamental to a democratic society.

However, Mr. Mulumbi stressed that it is important that citizens should exercise freedom of expression freely on the digital space without infringing on the rights of other people.

“Online interactions should make the digital space free and safe for everyone and conducive to human rights,” he said.

Mr. Mulumbi further noted that media freedom remains essential to the full enjoyment of freedom of expression and urged political stakeholders to respect the independence of the media and allow journalists to operate freely without harassment or intimidation.

He also expressed concern over previous incidents of political violence targeting media institutions and called on stakeholders to ensure such occurrences are not repeated.

Meanwhile, Eastern Provincial Chairperson for the Council of Churches in Zambia, Reverend Sonye Banda, urged stakeholders to uphold peace, respect the law and electoral processes to safeguard Zambia’s democracy.

And Chipata District Police Deputy Commanding Officer, Mr. Tresphord Kasale, said the Commission’s engagement with election stakeholders, including the police, ahead of the general elections was important in ensuring that elections are conducted in an environment that respects human rights.

The stakeholders’ engagement meeting attracted over 56 participants who were sensitised on various rights related to elections, including the freedom of association and assembly and the right to life.

Participants were also engaged on other rights, such as the right to protection of the law, protection from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment, and the freedom of movement, among other rights.