Cyber laws meant to suppress freedom of expression, says Chapter One Foundation

By GRACE CHAILE

CHAPTER One Foundation has argued that the Cyber Crimes Act No. 4 of 2025 directly interferes with its operations, particularly its freedom of expression and its ability to defend human rights and promote accountability online. The organisation therefore believes it will be directly affected by the outcome of the case.
The human rights body has since applied to join the ongoing matter before the Constitutional Court in which the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has challenged the constitutionality of the newly enacted cyber laws.
In its affidavit in support of the application for joinder, Chapter One Foundation chairperson Sara Hlupekile Longwe stated that the organisation had initially prepared its own petition to challenge several provisions of the cyber laws but opted to seek joinder in the LAZ matter to avoid duplicating proceedings and to save the court’s time.
Ms Longwe added that the foundation has previously initiated constitutional matters in Zambian courts, citing cases between 2019 and 2022 that sought to defend constitutional rights and freedoms.
LAZ filed its petition in the Lusaka High Court on July 11, 2025, seeking to have certain provisions of the Cyber Security Act No. 3 of 2025 and the Cyber Crimes Act No. 4 of 2025 declared unconstitutional and struck off the statute books.
The Attorney General has been cited as the respondent in the matter, in his capacity as the government’s principal legal advisor.