CONSTITUTION OF ZAMBIA (PRIOR TO 1996
AMENDMENTS) - PART III
PROTECTION OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOM OF THE INDIVIDUAL
Article
11. [Fundamental rights and freedoms]
It is recognised and declared that
every person in Zambia has been and shall continue to be entitled to
the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to
say, the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political
opinions, colour, creed, sex or marital status, but subject to the
limitations contained in this Part, to each and all of the
following, namely:
-
(a) life, liberty, security of the
person and the protection of the law;
-
(b) freedom of conscience,
expression, assembly, movement and association;
-
(c) protection of young persons from
exploitation;
-
(d) protection for the privacy of
his home and other property and from deprivation of property
without compensation;
and the provisions of this Part shall
have effect for the purpose of affording protection to those rights
and freedoms subject to such limitations designed to ensure that the
enjoyment of the said rights and freedoms by any individual does not
prejudice the rights and freedoms of others or the public interest.
12. [Protection of right to life]
(1) No person shall be deprived of his
life intentionally except in execution of the sentence of a court in
respect of a criminal offence under the law in force in Zambia of
which he has been convicted.
(2) No person shall deprive an unborn
child of life by termination of pregnancy except in accordance with
the conditions laid down by an Act of Parliament for that purpose.
(3) Without prejudice to any liability
for a contravention of any other law with respect to the use of
force in such cases; as are hereinafter mentioned, a person shall
not be regarded as having been deprived of his life in contravention
of this Article if he dies as a result of the use of force to such
extent as is reasonably justifiable in the circumstances of the case
--
-
(a) for the defence of any person
from violence or for the defence of property;
-
(b) in order to effect a lawful
arrest or to prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained;
-
(c) for the purpose of suppressing a
riot, insurrection, mutiny or if he dies as a result of a lawful
act of war;
-
(d) in order to prevent the
commission by that person of a criminal offence.
13. [Protection of right to personal
liberty]
(1) No person shall be deprived of his
personal liberty except as may be authorised by law in any of the
following cases:
-
(a) in execution of a sentence or
order of a court, whether established for Zambia or some other
country, in respect of a criminal offence or which he has been
convicted;
-
(b) in execution of an order of a
court of record punishing him for contempt of that court or of a
court inferior to it;
-
(c) in execution of an order of a
court made to secure the fulfilment of any obligation imposed on
him by law;
-
(d) for the purpose of bringing him
before a court in execution of an order of a court;
-
(e) upon reasonable suspicion of his
having committed, or being about to commit, a criminal offence
under the law in force in Zambia;
-
(f) under an order of a court or
with the consent of his parent or guardian, for his education or
welfare during any period ending not later than the date when he
attains the age of eighteen years;
-
(g) for the purpose of preventing
the spread of an infectious or contagious disease;
-
(h) in the case of a person who is,
or is reasonably suspected to be, of unsound mind, addicted to
drugs or alcohol, or a vagrant, for the purpose of this care or
treatment or the protection of the community;
-
(i) for the purpose of preventing
the unlawful entry of that person into Zambia, or for the purpose
of effecting the expulsion, extradition or other lawful removal of
that person from Zambia or for the purpose of restricting that
person while he is being conveyed through Zambia in the course of
his extradition or removal as a convicted prisoner from one
country to another; or
-
(j) to such extent as may be
necessary in the execution of a lawful order requiring that person
to remain within a specified area within Zambia or prohibiting him
from being within such area, or to such extent as may be
reasonably justifiable for the taking of proceedings against that
person relating to the making of any such order, or to such extent
as may be reasonably justifiable for restraining that person
during any visit that he is permitted to make to any part of
Zambia in which, in consequence of any such order, his presence
would otherwise be unlawful.
(2) any person who is arrested or
detained shall be informed as soon as reasonably practicable, in a
language that he understands, of the reasons for his arrest or
detention.
(3) Any person who is arrested or
detained --
-
(a) for the purpose of bringing him
before a court in execution of an order of a court; or
-
(b) upon reasonable suspicion of his
having committed, or being about to commit, a criminal offence
under the law in force in Zambia;
and who is not released, shall be
brought without undue delay before a court; and if any person
arrested or detained under paragraph (b) is not tried within a
reasonable time, then, without prejudice to any further proceedings
that may be brought against him, he shall be released either
unconditionally or upon reasonable conditions, including in
particular such conditions as are reasonably necessary to ensure
that the appears at a later date for trial or for proceedings
preliminary to trial.
(4) Any person who is unlawfully
arrested or detained by any other person shall be entitled to
compensation therefor from that other person.
14. [Protection from slavery and
forced labour]
(1) No person shall be held in slavery
or servitude.
(2) No person shall be required to
perform forced labour.
(3) For the purpose of this Article,
the expression "force labour" does not include--
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(a) any labour required in
consequence of a sentence or order of a court;
-
(b) labour required of any person
while he is lawfully detained that, though not required in
consequence of a sentence or order of a court, is reasonably
necessary in the interests of hygiene or for the maintenance of
the place at which he is detained;
-
(c) any labour required of a member
of a disciplined force in pursuance of his duties as such or, in
the case of a person who has conscientious objections to service
as a member of a naval, military or air force, any labour that
that person is required by law to perform in place of such
service;
-
(d) any labour required during any
period when the Republic is at war or a declaration under Article
30
or 31
is in force or in the event of any other emergency or calamity
that threatens the life and well-being of the community, to the
extent that the requiring of such labour is reasonably justifiable
in the circumstances of any situation arising or existing during
that period, or as a result of that other emergency or calamity,
for the purpose of dealing with that situation; or
-
(e) any labour reasonably required
as part of reasonable and normal communal or other civic
obligation.
15. [Protection from inhuman
treatment]
No person shall be subjected to
torture, or to inhuman or degrading punishment or other like
treatment.
16. [Protection from deprivation of
property]
(1) Except as provided in this
Article, no property of any description shall be compulsorily taken
possession of, and no interest in or right over property of any
description shall be compulsorily acquired, unless by or under the
authority of an Act of Parliament which provides for payment of
adequate compensation for the property or interest or right to be
taken possession of or acquired.
(2) Nothing contained in or done under
the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in
contravention of clause (1) to the extent that it is shown that such
law provides for the taking possession or acquisition of any
property or interest therein or right thereover--
-
(a) in satisfaction of any tax, rate
or due;
-
(b) by way of penalty for breach of
any law, whether under civil process or after conviction of an
offence;
-
(c) in execution of judgements or
orders of courts;
-
(d) upon the attempted removal of
the property in question out of or into Zambia in contravention of
any law;
-
(e) as an incident of a contract
including a lease, tenancy, mortgage, charge, pledge or bill of
sale or of a title deed to land;
-
(f) for the purpose of its
administration, care or custody on behalf of and for the benefit
of the person entitled to the beneficial interest therein;
-
(g) by way of the vesting of enemy
property or for the purpose of the administration of such
property;
-
(h) for the purpose of --
-
(i) the administration of the
property of a deceased person, a person of unsound mind or a
person who has not attained the age of eighteen years, for the
benefit of the persons entitled to the beneficial interest
therein;
-
(ii) the administration of the
property of a person adjudged bankrupt or a body corporate in
liquidation, for the benefit of the creditors of such bankrupt
or body corporate and, subject thereto, for the benefit of other
persons entitled to the beneficial interest in the property;
-
(iii) the administration of the
property of a person who has entered into a deed of arrangement
for the benefit of his creditors; or
-
(iv) vesting any property subject
to a trust in persons appointed as trustees under the instrument
creating the trust or by a court or, by order of a court, for
the purpose of giving effect to the trust;
-
(i) in consequence of any law
relating to the limitation of actions;
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(j) in terms of any law relating to
abandoned, unoccupied, unutilised or undeveloped land, as defined
in such law;
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(k) in terms of any law relating to
absent or non-resident owners, as defined in such law, of any
property;
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(l) in terms of any law relating to
trusts or settlements;
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(m) by reason of the property in
question being in a dangerous state or prejudicial to the health
or safety of human beings, animals or plants;
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(n) as a condition in connection
with the granting of permission for the utilisation of that or
other property in any particular manner;
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(o) for the purpose of or in
connection with the prospecting for. or exploitation of, minerals
belonging to the Republic on terms which provide for the
respective interests of the persons affected;
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(p) in pursuance of a provision of
the marketing of property of that description in the common
interests of the various persons otherwise entitled to dispose of
that property;
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(q) by way of the taking of a sample
for the purposes of any law;
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(r) by way of acquisition of the
shares, or a class of shares, in a body corporate on terms agreed
to by the holders of not less than nine-tenths in value of those
shares or that class of shares;
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(s) where the property consists of
an animal, upon its being found trespassing or straying;
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(t) for so long as may be necessary
for the purpose of any examination, investigation, trial or
inquiry or, in the case of the land, the carrying out thereon --
-
(i) of work for the purpose of the
conservation of natural resources or any description; or
-
(ii) of agricultural development
or improvement which the owner or occupier of the land has been
required, and has without reasonable and lawful excuse refused
or failed, to carry out;
-
(u) where the property consists of
any licence or permit;
-
(v) where the property consists of
wild animals existing in their natural habitat or the carcasses of
wild animals;
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(w) where the property is held by a
body corporate established by law for public purposes and in which
no moneys have been invested other than moneys provided by
Parliament;
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(x) where the property is any
mineral, mineral oil or natural gases or any rights accruing by
virtue of any title or licence for the purpose of searching for or
mining any mineral, mineral oil or natural gases --
-
(i) upon failure to comply with
any provision of such law relating to the title or licence or to
the exercise of the rights accruing or to the development or
exploitation of any mineral, mineral oil or natural gases; or
-
(ii) in terms of any law vesting
any such property or rights in the President;
-
(y) for the purpose of the
administration or disposition of such property or interest or
right by the President in implementation of a comprehensive land
policy or of a policy designed to ensure that the statute law, the
Common Law and the doctrines of equity relating to or affecting
the interest in or rights over land, or any other interests or
right enjoyed by Chiefs and persons claiming through and under
them, shall apply with substantial uniformity throughout Zambia;
-
(z) in terms of any law providing
for the conversion of titles to land from freehold to leasehold
and the imposition of any restriction on subdivision, assignment
or sub-letting;
-
(aa) in terms of any law relating to
--
-
(i) the forfeiture or confiscation
of the property of a person who has left Zambia for the purpose
or apparent purpose, of defeating the ends of justice;
-
(ii) the imposition of a fine on,
and the forfeiture or confiscation of the property of, a person
who admits a contravention of any law relating to the imposition
or collection of any duty or tax or to the prohibition or
control of dealing or transactions in gold, currencies, or
securities.
(3) An Act of Parliament such as is
referred to in clause (1) shall provide that in default of
agreement, the amount of compensation shall be determined by a court
of competent jurisdiction.
17. [Protection for privacy of home
and other property]
(1) Except with his own consent, no
person shall be subjected to the search of his person or his
property or the entry by others on his premises.
(2) Nothing contained in or done under
the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in
contravention of this Article to the extent that it is shown that
the law in question makes provision --
-
(a) that is reasonably required in
the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public
morality, public health, town and country planning, the
development and utilisation of mineral resources, or in order to
secure the development or utilisation of any property for a
purpose beneficial to the community;
-
(b) that is reasonably required for
the purpose of protecting the rights or freedoms of other persons;
-
(c) that authorises an officer or
agent of the Government, a local government authority or a body
corporate established by law for a public purpose to enter on the
premises or anything thereon for the purpose of any tax, rate or
due or in order to carry out work connected with any property that
is lawfully on those premises and that belongs to that Government,
authority, or body corporate, as the case may be; or
-
(d) that authorises, for the purpose
of enforcing the judgement or order of a court in any civil
proceedings, the search of any person or property by order of a
court or entry upon any premises by such order;
and except so far as that provision
or, as the case may be, anything done under the authority thereof is
shown not to be reasonably justified in a democratic society.
18. [Provisions to secure protection
of law]
(1) If any person is charged with a
criminal offence, then, unless the charge is withdrawn, the case
shall be afforded a fair hearing within a reasonable time by an
independent and impartial court established by law.
(2) Every person who is charged with a
criminal offence --
-
(a) shall be presumed to be innocent
until he is proved or has pleaded guilty;
-
(b) shall be informed as soon as
reasonably practicable, in a language that he understands and in
detail, of the nature of the offence charged;
-
(c) shall be given adequate time and
facilities for the preparation of his defence;
-
(d) shall unless legal aid is
granted him in accordance with the law enacted by Parliament for
such purpose be permitted to defend himself before the court in
person, or at his own expense, by a legal representative of his
own choice;
-
(e) shall be afforded facilities to
examine in person or by his legal representative the witnesses
called by the prosecution before the court, and to obtain the
attendance and carry out the examination of witnesses to testify
on his behalf before the court on the same conditions as those
applying to witnesses called by the prosecution; and
-
(f) shall be permitted to have
without payment the assistance of an interpreter if he cannot
understand the language used at the trial of the charge;
and except with his own consent the
trial shall not take place in his absence unless he so conducts
himself as to render the continuance of the proceedings in his
presence impracticable and the court has ordered him to be removed
and the trial to proceed in his absence.
(3) When a person is tried for any
criminal offence, the accused person or any person authorized by him
in that behalf shall, if he so requires and subject to payment of
such reasonable fee as may be prescribed by law, be given within a
reasonable time after judgment a copy for the use of the accused
person of any record of the proceedings made by or on behalf of the
court.
(4) No person shall be held to be
guilty of a criminal offence on account of any act or omission that
did not, at the time it took place, constitute such an offence, and
no penalty shall be imposed for any criminal offence that is severer
in degree or description that the maximum penalty that might have
been imposed for that offence at the time it was committed.
(5) No person who shows that he has
been tried by a competent court for a criminal offence and either
convicted or acquitted shall again be tried for that offence or for
any other criminal offence of which he could have been convicted at
the trial for that offence, except upon the order of a superior
court in the course of appeal or review proceedings relating to the
conviction or acquittal.
(6) No person shall be tried for a
criminal offence if he shows that he has been pardoned for that
offence.
(7) No person who is tried for a
criminal offence shall be compelled to give evidence at the trial.
(8) No person shall be convicted of a
criminal offence unless that offence is defined and the penalty is
prescribed in a written law:
Provided that nothing in this clause
shall prevent a court of record from punishing any person for
contempt of itself notwithstanding that the act or omission
constituting the contempt is not defined in written law and the
penalty therefore is not so prescribed.
(9) Any court or other adjudicating
authority prescribed by law for the determination of the existence
or extent of any civil right or obligation shall be established by
law and shall be independent and impartial; and where proceedings
for such a determination are instituted by any person before such a
court or other adjudicating authority, the case shall be given a
fair hearing within a reasonable time.
(10) Except with the agreement of all
the parties thereto, all proceedings of every court and proceedings
for the determination of the existence or extent of any civil right
or obligation before any other adjudicating authority, including the
announcement of the decision of the court or other authority, shall
be held in public.
(11) Nothing in clause (10) shall
prevent the court or other adjudicating authority from excluding
from the proceedings persons other than the parties thereto and
their legal representatives to such extent as the court or other
authority --
-
(a) may consider necessary or
expedient in circumstances where publicity would prejudice the
interest of justice or in interlocutory proceedings; or
-
(b) may be empowered by law to do in
the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public
morality, the welfare of persons under the age of eighteen years
or the protection of the private lives of persons concerned in the
proceedings.
(12) Nothing contained in or done
under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with
or in contravention of --
-
(a) paragraph (a) of clause (2) to
the extent that it is shown that the law in question imposes upon
any person charged with a criminal offence the burden of proving
particular facts;
-
(b) paragraph (d) of clause (2) to
the extent that it is shown that the law in question prohibits
legal representation before a subordinate court in proceedings for
an offence under Zambian customary law, being proceedings against
any person who, under that law, is subject to that law;
-
(c) paragraph (e) of clause (2) to
the extent that it is shown that the law in question imposes
reasonable conditions that must be satisfied if witnesses called
to testify on behalf of an accused person are to be paid their
expenses out of public funds;
-
(d) clause (2) to the extent that it
is shown that the law provides that --
-
(i) where the trial of any person
for any offence prescribed by or under the law has been
adjourned and the accused, having pleaded to the charge, fails
to appear at the time fixed by the court for the resumption of
his trial after the adjournment, the proceedings may continue
notwithstanding the absence of the accused if the court, being
satisfied that, having regard to all the circumstances of the
case, it is just and reasonable so to do, so orders; and
-
(ii) the court shall set aside any
conviction or sentence pronounced in the absence of the accused
in respect of that offence if the accused satisfies the court
without undue delay that the cause of his absence was reasonable
and that he had a valid defence to the charge;
-
(e) clause (2) to the extent that it
is shown that the law provides that a trial of a body corporate
may take place in the absence of any representative of the body
corporate upon a charge in respect of which a plea of not guilty
has been entered by the court;
-
(f) clause (5) to the extent that it
is shown that the law in question authorises a court to try a
member of a disciplined forced for a criminal offence
notwithstanding any trial and conviction or acquittal of that
member under the disciplinary law of that force, so, however, that
any court so trying such a member and convicting him shall in
sentencing him to any punishment take into account any punishment
awarded him under that disciplinary law.
(13) In the case of any person who is
held in lawful detention, clause (1), paragraphs (d) and (e) of
clause (2) and clause (3) shall not apply in relation to his trial
for a criminal offence under the law regulating the discipline of
persons held in detention.
(14) In its application to a body
corporate clause (2) shall have effect as if the words "in person
or" were omitted from paragraph (d) and (e).
(15) In this Article "criminal
offence" means a criminal offence under the law in force in Zambia.
19. [Protection of freedom of
conscience]
(1) Except with his own consent, no
person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of
conscience, and for the purposes of this Article the said freedom
includes freedom of thought and religion, freedom to change his
religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with
others, and both in public and in private, to manifest and propagate
his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and
observance.
(2) Except with his own consent, or,
if he is a minor, the consent of his guardian, no person attending
any place of education shall be required to receive religious
instruction or to take part in or attend any religious ceremony or
observance if that instruction, ceremony or observance relates to a
religion other than his own.
(3) No religious community or
denomination shall be prevented from providing religious instruction
for persons of that community or denomination in the course of any
education provided by the community or denomination or from
establishing and maintaining institutions to provide social services
for such persons.
(4) No person shall be compelled to
take any oath which is contrary to his religion or belief or to take
any oath in a manner which is contrary to his religion or belief.
(5) Nothing contained in or done under
the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in
contravention of this Article to the extent that it is shown that
the law in question makes provision which is reasonably required --
-
(a) in the interests of defence,
public safety, public order, public morality or public health; or
-
(b) for the purpose of protecting
the rights and freedoms of other persons, including the right to
observe and practice any religion without the unsolicited
intervention of members of any other religion:
and except so far as that provision
or, the thing done under the authority thereof as the case may be,
is shown not to be reasonably justified in a democratic society.
20. [Protection of freedom of
expression]
(1) Except with his own consent, no
person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of
expression, that is to say, freedom to hold opinions without
interference, freedom to receive ideas and information without
interference, freedom to impart and communicate ideas and
information without interference, whether the communication be to
the public generally or to any person or class of persons, and
freedom from interference with his correspondence.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this
Constitution no law shall make any provision that derogates from
freedom of the press.
(3) Nothing contained in or done under
the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in
contravention of this Article to the extent that it is shown that
the law in question makes provision --
-
(a) that is reasonably required in
the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public
morality or public health; or
-
(b) that is reasonably required for
the purpose of protecting the reputations, rights and freedoms of
other persons or the private lives of persons concerned in legal
proceedings, preventing the disclosure of information received in
confidence, maintaining the authority and independence of the
courts, regulating educational institutions in the interests of
persons receiving instruction therein, or the registration of, or
regulating the technical administration or the technical operation
of, newspapers and other publications, telephony, telegraphy,
posts, wireless broadcasting or television; or
-
(c) that imposes restrictions on
public officers;
and except so far as that provision
or, the thing done under the authority thereof as the case may be,
is shown not to be reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.
21. [Protection of freedom of assembly
and association]
(1)Except with his own consent, no
person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of assembly
and association, that is to say, his right to assemble freely and
associate with other persons and in particular to form or belong to
any political party, trade union or other association for the
protection of his interests.
(2) Nothing contained in or done under
the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in
contravention of this Article to the extent that it is shown that
the law in question makes provision --
-
(a) that is reasonably required in
the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public
morality or public health;
-
(b) that is reasonably required for
the purpose of protecting the rights or freedoms of other persons;
-
(c) that imposes restrictions upon
public officers; or
-
(d) for the registration of
political parties or trade unions in a register established by or
under a law and for imposing reasonable conditions relating to the
procedure for entry on such register including conditions as to
the minimum number of persons necessary to constitute a trade
union qualified for registration;
and except so far as that provision
or, the thing done under the authority thereof as the case may be,
is shown not to be reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.
22. [Protection of freedom of
movement]
(1) Subject to the other provision of
this Article and except in accordance with any other written law, no
citizen shall be deprived of his freedom of movement, and for the
purposes of this Article freedom of movement means --
-
(a) the right to move freely
throughout Zambia:
-
(b) the right to reside in any part
of Zambia; and
-
(c) the right to leave Zambia and to
return to Zambia.
(2) Any restrictions on a person's
freedom of movement that relates to his lawful detention shall not
be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this Article.
(3) Nothing contained in or done under
the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in
contravention of this Article to the extent that it is shown that
the law in question makes provision --
-
(a) for the imposition of
restrictions that are reasonably required in the interests of
defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public
health or the imposition or restrictions on the acquisition or use
by any person of land or other property in Zambia, and except so
far as that provision or, the thing done under the authority
thereof, as the case may be, is shown not be reasonably
justifiable in a democratic society;
-
(b) for the imposition of
restrictions on the freedom of movement of any person who is not a
citizen of Zambia;
-
(c) for the imposition of
restrictions upon the movement or residence within Zambia of
public officers; or
-
(d) for the removal of a person from
Zambia to be tried outside Zambia for a criminal offence or to
undergo imprisonment in some other country in execution of the
sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence under the law
in force in Zambia of which he has been convicted.
23. [Protection from discrimination on
the ground of race,etc.]
(1) Subject to clauses (4), (5) and
(7), no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either
of itself or in its effect.
(2) Subject to clauses (6), (7) and
(8), no person shall be treated in a discriminatory manner by any
person acting by virtue of any written law or in the performance of
the functions of any public office or any public authority.
(3) In this Article the expression
"discriminatory" mean, affording different treatment to different
persons attributable, wholly or mainly to their respective
descriptions by race, tribe, sex, place of origin, marital status,
political opinions colour or creed whereby persons of one such
description are subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which
persons of another such description are not made subject or are
accorded privileges or advantages which are not accorded to persons
of another such description.
(4) Clause (1) shall not apply to any
law so far as that law makes provision --
-
(a) for the appropriation of the
general revenues of the Republic;
-
(b) with respect to persons who are
not citizens of Zambia;
-
(c) with respect to adoption,
marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or
other matters of personal law;
-
(d) for the application in the case
of members of a particular race or tribe, of customary law with
respect to any matter to the exclusion of any law with respect to
that matter which is applicable in the case of other persons; or
-
(e) whereby persons of any such
description as is mentioned in clause (3) may be subjected to any
disability or restriction or may be accorded any privilege or
advantage which, having regard to its nature and to special
circumstances pertaining to those persons or to persons of any
other such description, is reasonably justifiable in a democratic
society.
(5) Nothing contained in any law shall
be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of clause (1) to
the extent that it is shown that it makes reasonable provision with
respect to qualifications for service as a public officer or as a
member of a disciplined force or for the service of a local
government authority or a body corporate established directly by any
law.
(6) Clause (2) shall not apply to
anything which is expressly or by necessary implication authorized
to be done by any such provision or law as is referred to in clause
(4) or (5).
(7) No thing contained in or done
under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with
or in contravention of this Article to the extent that it is shown
that the law in question makes provision whereby persons of any such
description as is mentioned in clause (3) may be subjected to any
restriction on the rights and freedoms guaranteed by Articles
17, 19, 20,
21 and 22, being such a
restriction as is authorised by clause (2) of Article 17, clause (5)
of Article 19, clause (2) of Article 20, clause (2) of Article 21 or
clause (3) of Article 22, as the case may be.
(8) Nothing in clause (2) shall affect
any discretion relating to the institution, conduct or
discontinuance of civil or criminal proceedings in any court that is
vested in any person by or under this Constitution or any other law.
24. [Protection of young persons from
exploitation]
(1) No young person shall be employed
and shall and shall in no case be caused or permitted to engage in
any occupation or employment which would prejudice his health or
education or interfere with his physical, mental or moral
development:
Provided that an Act of Parliament may
provide for the employment of a young person for a wage under
certain conditions.
(2) All young persons shall be
protected against physical or mental ill-treatment, all forms of
neglect, cruelty or exploitation.
(3) No young person shall be the
subject of traffic in any form.
(4) In this Article "young person"
means any person under the age of fifteen years.
25. [Derogation from fundamental
rights and detention]
Nothing contained in or done under the
authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in
contravention of Articles 13, 16,
17, 19, 20,
21, 22, 23, or
24 to the extent that it is shown that the law in
question authorises the taking, during any period when the Republic
is at war or when a declaration under Article 30
is in force, or measures for the purpose of dealing with any
situation existing or arising during that period; and nothing done
by any person under the authority of any such law shall be held to
be in contravention of any of the said provisions if it is shown
that the measures taken were, having due regard to the circumstances
prevailing at the time, reasonably required for the purpose of
dealing with the situation in question.
26. [Provisions relating to
restriction and detention]
(1) where a person's freedom of
movement is restricted, or he is detained, under the authority of
any such law as is referred to in Article 22 or
25, as the case may be, the following provisions
shall apply --
-
(a) he shall, as soon as reasonably
practicable and in any case not more than fourteen days after the
commencement of his detention or restriction, be furnished with a
statement in writing in a language that he understands specifying
in detail the grounds upon which he is restricted or detained;
-
(b) not more than fourteen days
after the commencement of his restriction or detention a
notification shall be published in the Gazette stating that
he has been restricted or detained and giving particulars of the
place of detention and the provision of law under which his
restriction or detention is authorised;
-
(c) if he so requests at any time
during the period of such restriction or detention not earlier
than three months after the commencement thereof or after he last
made such a request during that period, as the case may be, his
case shall be reviewed by an independent and impartial tribunal
established by law and presided over by a person, appointed by the
Chief Justice, who is or is qualified to be a judge of the High
Court;
-
(d) he shall be afforded reasonable
facilities to consult a legal representative of his own choice who
shall be permitted to make representations to the authority by
which the restriction or detention was ordered or to any tribunal
established for the review of his case; and
-
(e) at the hearing of his case by
such tribunal he shall be permitted to appear in person or by a
legal representative of his own choice.
(2) On any review by a tribunal under
this Article, the tribunal shall advise the authority by which it
was ordered on the necessity or expediency of continuing his
restriction or detention and that authority shall be obliged to act
in accordance with any such advice.
(3) The President may at any time
refer to the tribunal the case of any person who has been or is
being restricted or detained pursuant to any restriction or
detention order.
(4) Nothing contained in paragraph (d)
or (e) of clause (1) shall be construed as entitling a person to
legal representation at public expense.
(5) Parliament may make or provide for
the making of rules to regulate the proceedings of any such tribunal
including but without derogating from the generality of the
foregoing, rules as to evidence and the admissibility thereof, the
receipt of evidence including written reports in the absence of the
restricted or detained person and his legal representative, and the
exclusion of the public from the whole or any portion of the
proceedings.
(6) Clauses (11) and (12) or
Article 18 shall be read and construed subject to
the provisions of this Article.
27. [Reference of certain matters to
Special Tribunal]
(1) Whenever --
-
(a) a request is made in accordance
with clause (2) for a report on a bill or statutory instrument; or
-
(b) the Chief Justice considers it
necessary for the purpose of determining claims for legal aid in
respect of proceedings under Article 30 or
31;
the Chief Justice shall appoint a
tribunal which shall consist of two persons selected by him from
amongst persons who hold or have held the office of a judge of the
Supreme Court or the High Court.
(2) A request for a report on a bill
or a statutory instrument may be made by not less than thirty
members of the National Assembly by notice in writing delivered --
-
(a) in the case of a bill, to the
Speaker within three days after the final reading of the bill in
the Assembly.
-
(b) in the case of a statutory
instrument, to the authority having power to make the instrument
within fourteen days of the publication of the instrument in the
Gazette.
(3) Where a tribunal is appointed
under this Article for the purpose of reporting on a bill or a
statutory instrument, the tribunal shall, within the prescribed
period, submit a report to the President and to the Speaker of the
National Assembly stating --
-
(a) in the case of a bill, whether
or not in the opinion of the tribunal any, and if so which,
provisions of the bill are inconsistent with this Constitution;
-
(b) in the case of a statutory
instrument, whether or not in the opinion of the tribunal any, and
if so which, provisions of the instrument are inconsistent with
this Constitution;
and, if the tribunal reports that any
provision would be or is inconsistent with this Constitution, the
grounds upon which the tribunal has reached that conclusion.
Provided that if the tribunal
considers that the request for a report on a bill or statutory
instrument is merely frivolous or vexatious, it may so report to the
President without entering further upon the question whether the
bill or statutory instrument would be or is inconsistent with this
Constitution.
(4) In determining any claim for legal
aid as referred to in clause (2), the tribunal may grant to any
person who satisfies it that --
-
(a) he intends to bring or is an
applicant in proceedings under clause (1) or (4) of
Article 28;
-
(b) he has reasonable grounds for
bringing the application; and
-
(c) he cannot afford to pay for the
cost of the application;
a certificate that the application is
a proper case to be determined at public expenses:
Provided that paragraph (c) shall not
apply in any case where the application relates to the validity or a
provision of law in respect of which the tribunal has reported that
it would be or is inconsistent with this Constitution or where it
appears to the tribunal that issues are or will be raised in the
application which are of general importance.
(5) Where a certificate is granted to
any person by the tribunal in pursuance of clause (4), there shall
be paid to that person out of the general revenues of the Republic
such amount as the tribunal, when hearing the application, may
assess as the costs incurred by that person in connection with the
application; and the sums required for making such payment shall be
a charge on the general revenue of the Republic.
(6) For the purposes of clause (5) --
-
(a) the costs incurred in an
application shall include the cost of obtaining the advice of a
legal representative and, if necessary, the cost of representation
by a legal representative in any court in steps preliminary or
incidental to the application;
-
(b) in assessing the costs
reasonably incurred by a person in an application regard shall be
had to costs awarded against that person or recovered by him in
those proceedings.
(7) In this Article, "prescribed
period" means --
-
(a) in relation to a bill, the
period commencing from the appointment of the tribunal to report
upon the bill and ending thirty days thereafter or if the Speaker,
on the application of the tribunal considers that owing to the
length or complexity of the bill thirty days is insufficient for
consideration of the bill, ending on such later day as the Speaker
may determine;
-
(b) in relation to a statutory
instrument, the period of forty days commencing with the day on
which the instrument is published in the Gazette.
(8) Nothing in clause (1), (2) or (3)
shall apply to a bill for the appropriation of the general revenues
of the Republic or a bill containing only proposals for expressly
altering this Constitution or The Constitution of Zambia Act, 1991.
28. [Enforcement of protective
provisions]
(1) Subject to clause (5), if any
person alleges that any of the provisions of
Articles
11 to 26 inclusive has been, is being or is likely to be
contravened in relation to him, then, without prejudice to any other
action with respect to the same matter which is lawfully available,
that person may apply for redress to the High Court which shall --
and which may, make such order, issue
such writs and give such directions as it may consider appropriate
for the purpose of enforcing, or securing the enforcement of, any of
the provisions of
Articles
11 to 26 inclusive.
(2)
-
(a) If in any proceedings in any
subordinate court any question arises as to the contravention of
any of the provisions of
Articles
11 to 26 inclusive, the person presiding in that court may,
and shall if any party to the proceedings so requests, refer the
question to the High Court unless, in his opinion the raising of
the question is merely frivolous or vexatious.
-
(b) Any person aggrieved by any
determination of the High Court under this Article may appeal
therefrom to the Supreme Court:
-
Provided that no appeal shall lie
from a determination of the High Court under this Article
dismissing an application on the ground that it is frivolous and
vexatious.
(3) No application shall be brought
under clause (1) on the grounds that the provisions of
Articles
11 to 26 (inclusive) are likely to be contravened by reason of
proposals contained in any bill which, at the date of the
application, has not become a law.
(4) Parliament may confer upon the
Supreme Court or High Court such jurisdiction or powers in addition
to those conferred by this Article as may appear to be necessary or
desirable of the purpose of enabling that Court more effectively to
exercise the jurisdiction conferred upon it by this Article or of
enabling any application for redress to be more speedily determined.
29. [Declaration of war]
(1) The President may, in consultation
with Cabinet, at any time, by Proclamation published in the
Gazette declare war.
(2) A declaration made under clause
(1) shall continue in force until the cessation of hostilities.
(3) An Act of Parliament shall provide
for the conditions and circumstances under which a declaration may
be made under clause (1).
30. [Declaration of public emergency]
(1) The President may, in consultation
with Cabinet, at any time, by Proclamation published in the
Gazette declare that a State of public emergency exists.
(2) A declaration made under clause
(1) of this Article shall cease to have effect on the expiration of
a period of seven days commencing with the day on which the
declaration is made unless, before the expiration of such period, it
has been approved by a resolution of the National Assembly supported
by a majority of all the members thereof not counting the Speaker.
(3) In reckoning any period of seven
days for the purposes of clause (2) no account shall be taken of any
time during which Parliament is dissolved.
(4) A declaration made under clause
(1) may, at any time before it has been approved by a resolution of
the National Assembly, be revoked by the President by Proclamation
published in the Gazette.
(5) Subject to clause (6) a resolution
of the National Assembly under clause (2) will continue in force
until the expiration of a period of three months commencing with the
date of its being approved or until revoked at such earlier date of
its being so approved or until such earlier date as may be specified
in the resolution.
Provided that the National Assembly
may, by majority of all the members thereof, not counting the
Speaker extend the approval of the declaration for periods of not
more than three months at a time.
(6) The National Assembly may, by
resolution, at any time revoke a resolution made by it under this
Article.
(7) Whenever an election to the office
of President results in a change of the holder of that office, any
declaration made under this Article and in force immediately before
the day on which the President assumes office shall cease to have
effect on the expiration of seven days commencing with that day.
(8) The expiration or revocation of
any declaration or resolution made under this Article shall not
affect the validity of anything previously done in reliance on such
declaration.
31. [Declaration relating to
threatened emergency]
(1) The President may at any time by
the Proclamation published in the Gazette declare that a
situation exists which, if it is allowed to continue may lead to a
state of public emergency.
(2) A declaration made under clause
(1) of this Article shall cease to have effect on the expiration of
a period of seven days commencing with the day on which the
declaration is made unless, before the expiration of such period, it
has been approved by a resolution of the National Assembly supported
by a majority of all the members thereof not counting the Speaker.
(3) In reckoning any period of seven
days for the purpose of clause (2) no account shall be taken of any
time during which Parliament is dissolved.
(4) A declaration made under clause
(1), may, at any time before it has been approved by a resolution of
the National Assembly, be revoked by the President by Proclamation
published in the Gazette.
(5) Subject to clause (6) a resolution
of the National Assembly under clause (2) shall continue in force
until the expiration of a period of three months commencing with the
date of its being approved or until revoked on an earlier date of
its being so approved or until such earlier date as may be specified
in the resolution.
(6) The National Assembly may by
resolution, at any time revoke a resolution made by it under this
Article.
(7) Whenever an election to the office
of President results in a change in the holder of that office, any
declaration made under this Article and in force immediately before
the day on which the President assumes office, shall cease to have
effect on the expiration of seven days commencing with that day.
(8) The expiration or revocation of
any declaration or resolution made under this Article shall not
affect the validity of anything previously done in reliance on such
declaration.
32. [Interpretation and Savings]
(1) In this Part, unless the context
otherwise requires --
"contravention", in relation to any
requirement, includes a failure to comply with that requirement and
cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly;
"court" means any court of law having
jurisdiction in Zambia, other than a court established by a
disciplinary law, and in Articles 12 and
14 includes a court established by a disciplinary
law;
"disciplinary law" means a law
regulating the disciplined force;
"disciplined force" means --
-
(a) a naval, military or air force;
-
(b) the Zambia Police Force; or
-
(c) any other force established by
or under an Act of Parliament;
"legal representative" means a person
entitled to practise in Zambia as an advocate;
"member", in relation to a disciplined
force, includes any person who, under the law regulating the
discipline of that force is subject to that discipline.
(2) In relation to any person who is a
member of a disciplined force raised under the law of Zambia,
nothing contained in or done under the authority of the disciplinary
law of that force shall be held to be inconsistent with or in
contravention of any of the provisions of this Part other than
Articles 12, 14, and
15.
(3) In relation to any person who is a
member of a disciplinary force raised otherwise than as aforesaid
and lawfully present in Zambia, nothing contained in or done under
the authority of the disciplinary law of that force shall be held to
be inconsistent with or in contravention of any of the provisions of
this part.
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