THE Civil Society Constitution Coalition has appealed to President Sata to appoint a referendum commission which will make preparations for holding of a referendum.
This is according to a statement signed by 24 civil society organisations.
“If Zambians are to be assured of a constitution whose bill of rights and the entire content is one that is acceptable under international human rights standards, there will be need for a referendum,” the statement reads in part.
The coalition said the current process by the technical committee does not define an end in itself thereby rendering it vulnerable to both manipulation and being abandoned on the way.
The coalition also urged Government to ensure that a comprehensive budget that supports the process is quickly drawn and made public to instil confidence in the constitution making process.
“Lack of transparency in the use of the State finances leads to mistrust by members of the public when expenditures are not explained,” the statement said.
The coalition said in March this year, the Ministry of Justice indicated that a budget would be made public but that this has not been done to date.
The coalition also recommended to Government to take to Parliament a bill that will legally protect the technical committee drafting the new constitution.
“The current process lacks sound legal backing and protection. The technical committee’s work risks being politicised and watered down in the end,” the statement reads.
Some of the civil society organisations that make up the coalition include Action Aid International Zambia, African Women Millennium Initiative in Zambia, Anti-Voter Apathy Project, Church of God, Citizens’ Forum, Civil Society for Poverty Reduction and Hope for Human Rights.
Others are Infotainment Movement, Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection, Save the Children, Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes, Transparency International Zambia, Treatment Advocacy and Literacy Campaign, The People’s Indaba, and Women and Law in Southern Africa and Women in Law and Development in Africa.
The Zambia AIDS Law Research and Advocacy Network, Zambia Civic Education Association, Zambia Community Based Natural Resources Management Forum, Zambia Land Alliance, Zambian Union of Financial Institutions and Allied Workers and the Zambia Women Media Association are also members of the coalition.
[Daily Mail]
These guys were excited with the technical committee without the law backing it.Now they think Sata will agree to their demand.They should have demanded for the law first to regulate the process of making the constitution.As of now it is just few pipo.
Muleikalafye chikala chenu. Imwe everything kulandapo. Shaaaaaa
Its good this is coming from the same NGOs who campaigned for SATA (UKWA) for 20th September 2011 elections lets see how he is going to react because for me I know SATA he is never serious in this Constitution making process that is why he is using KABIMBA to talk against some clauses in the draft constitution this man in state house is really a snake just wait pipo will prove very soon what SATA is made of.
Its like consulting a madman pa station which bus goes to Pretoria. No clue. Can’t squeeze juice from Cinangwa. Rabbits asking a Hyena to lead the way huh.
what is surprising in zambia is that what these people are saying was said by HH a long time ago and HH was insulted big time. HH told zambians that we need a budget for these works and legal backing for the technical committee but surprisingly he was insulted and called all sorts of names. Does it mean HH is to fast and intelligent for zambians or what? i find this amazing.
Kabanda looks clean shaven i wonder what has happened.
he’s clean now..our money is working..we shall work on it again 2018..watch the space..!