The Civil Society Movement has called on the government to halt the enactment of cyber laws and allow wider consultations with other stakeholders.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka today, Zambia Council of Social Development (ZCSD) Executive Director Lewis Mwape also demanded that the draft cyber bill be availed to citizens before it is taken to parliament for enactment.
Mr. Mwape has observed that the cyber bill once enacted may infringe on the fundamental freedoms of citizens.
He charged that it is therefore important that the proposed cyber laws guarantees the security and protection of ordinary citizens’ enjoyment of online democratic space among other issues.
And civil society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) Executive Director Patrick Shindano observed that the country has sufficient laws to manage the cyber space and called on the government not to rush into enacting the cyber law.
Mr. Shindano also emphasized the need for citizen participation in the enactment process of proposed pieces of legislations such as cyber laws.
Government has hinted coming up with laws that will among other things regulate abuse of the social media in the country.
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