The Executive Director of Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf), Mr. Vusumuzi Sifile on 06 October 2023: paid a courtesy call on the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) ACHPR Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, Hon. Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo.
The meeting, held at Hon. Commissioner Topsy-Sonoo’s office in Port Louis, Mauritius, discussed progress towards the enactment of the Access to Information law, which featured prominently in Panos’ Shadow Report to the 75 th Session of the ACHPR earlier this year.
During the meeting, Hon. Commissioner Topsy-Sonoo, who is also the ACHPR’s Special Rapporteur for Zambia, expressed commitment to provide any relevant support for the enactment and implementation of a progressive Access to Information law, provided such support is requested by the Government of Zambia. She also expressed the Commission’s willingness and readiness to collaborate with state and non-state actors to improve access to information and other human rights in Zambia.
Mr. Sifile indicated that Panos was working with media, civil society partners, government agencies and other actors to influence the enactment and effective implementation of a progressive Access to Information law. He appealed to the Commission to continue with its support in terms of enhancing the capacity of the government and other stakeholders in relation to access to information, addressing any misconceptions that may delay enactment or slow down effective implementation of the ATI law.
The ACHPR has various instruments to promote access to information in Africa. In addition to specific provisions in Article 9 of the Charter which establishes the right to information and freedom of expression in Africa, the Commission has developed a progressive Model Law on Access to Information, as well as a Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa. The Commission also provides, upon request from Member States, technical support to strengthen the legal and policy framework on the right to information.
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Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) is a media advocacy and communication for development organization that works to amplify voices of the poor and marginalized to foster social change and social accountability, ensuring that information is effectively used to drive development through empowerment of communities to shape their own agenda. PSAf works with and through the media and other non-state actors to empower ordinary members of the society with opportunities and platforms to have their voices heard and influence decisions and actions in governance and development processes, and thus holding duty bearers accountable.
Through its interventions, Panos seeks to strengthen the democratic foundations of freedom of speech and assembly; build independent and new media; and safeguard a space for activists, human rights defenders (HRDs), and oppositional voices to protect shrinking democratic space in the Republic of Zambia. Ahead of the 75 th Session of the ACHPR, PSAf submitted a Shadow Report to the Commission, examining the Government of the Republic of Zambia’s compliance with the ACHPR and international human rights obligations to create and maintain an enabling environment for freedom of expression.
