Chief Justice Mumba Malila has reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to strengthening access to justice for forcibly displaced persons through enhanced judicial training in refugee law and protection.
Chief Justice Justice Malila said in a speech read on his behalf by Constitutional Court Judge Kenneth Mulife during the opening of a three-day Magistrates’ Training Workshop on Refugee Law and Protection in Meheba Refugee Settlement in Kalumbila yesterday.
 Chief Justice Malila said the Judiciary remains committed to ensuring that refugees and asylum seekers receive fair and impartial treatment under the law.
Chief Justice Malila commended the Judiciary, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Caritas Czech Republic, the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees, government representatives and cooperating partners for their continued collaboration in strengthening access to justice for forcibly displaced persons.
He noted that Zambia has a long-standing history of offering refuge to people fleeing conflict and persecution and currently hosts more than 100,000 refugees, asylum seekers and former refugees from countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Rwanda, Burundi and Somalia.
“Zambia’s commitment to refugee protection reflects not only our generosity as a nation but also our unwavering belief in the principles of humanity, compassion and shared responsibility,” he said.
He stated that Zambia remains guided by international and regional legal instruments, including the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1969 Organisation of African Unity Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa.
He described Meheba Refugee Settlement in Kalumbila District as a symbol of Zambia’s enduring commitment to refugee protection, noting that the settlement has provided safety and opportunities for displaced persons for more than five decades.
He observed that refugee adjudication remains one of the most complex areas of judicial decision-making due to challenges such as lack of documentation, trauma, language barriers and cultural differences among asylum seekers.
Chief Justice Malila said the training will equip magistrates with the knowledge and skills required to make informed, consistent and fair decisions while safeguarding the rights of vulnerable persons.
And Solwezi High Court Judge-in-Charge Obbister Musukwa underscored the importance of continuous professional development for judicial officers, saying the evolving nature of legal challenges requires members of the Bench to continually update their knowledge and skills.
Judge Musukwa noted that Zambia has a long history of hosting refugees dating back to the 1940s when Polish asylum seekers displaced by the Second World War were received in the country.
Meanwhile, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Senior Protection Officer Sarah-Jane Savage said refugee protection was not only a humanitarian issue but also a rule of law concern that requires strong judicial institutions.
Ms Savage said magistrates often encounter refugees and asylum seekers in criminal, family and immigration-related matters, making it essential for judicial officers to understand the legal and practical dimensions of refugee protection.
And District Commissioner Brenda Sankisa said Meheba Refugee Settlement has played a significant role in providing protection to people fleeing conflict and persecution and highlighted the importance of promoting peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities.
Speaking on behalf of Commissioner for Refugees Tovin Kaneneka, Meheba Refugee Settlement Principal Officer Sharon Mwansa said the training would strengthen collaboration among institutions involved in refugee protection and improve understanding of emerging issues such as human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
Ms Mwansa said the workshop would help participants identify appropriate legal protections and procedural safeguards for refugees, asylum seekers and former refugees.
The training workshop, running from June 16 to 18, 2026, has brought together 40 magistrates from across the country and includes presentations, field visits to Meheba Refugee Settlement, discussions with refugees and service providers, and practical moot court exercises.
The workshop is being organized by the Judiciary of Zambia in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Caritas Czech Republic, the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees and other cooperating partners.
