Zambia 1991 Constitution (reviewed 2016) - Page 3 of 21

Table of Contents

PART III. PROTECTION OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS 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:

life, liberty, security of the person and the protection of the law;
freedom of conscience, expression, assembly, movement and association;
protection of young persons from exploitation;
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.

Article 12. Protection of Right to Life

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.
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.
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—
1. for the defence of any person from violence or for the defence of property;
2. in order to effect a lawful arrest or to prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained;
3. for the purpose of suppressing a riot, insurrection, mutiny or if he dies as a result of a lawful act of war;
4. in order to prevent the commission by that person of a criminal offence.

Article 13. Protection of Right to Personal Liberty

No person shall be deprived of his personal liberty except as may be authorised by law in any of the following cases:
1. 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;
2. in execution of an order of a court of record punishing him for contempt of that court or of a court inferior to it;
3. in execution of an order of a court made to secure the fulfilment of any obligation imposed on him by law;
4. for the purpose of bringing him before a court in execution of an order of a court;
5. upon reasonable suspicion of his having committed, or being about to commit, a criminal offence under the law in force in Zambia;
6. 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;
7. for the purpose of preventing the spread of an infectious or contagious disease;
8. 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;
9. 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
10. 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.
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.
Any person who is arrested or detained—
1. for the purpose of bringing him before a court in execution of an order of a court; or
2. 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 he appears at a later date for trial or for proceedings preliminary to trial.
Any person who is unlawfully arrested or detained by any other person shall be entitled to compensation therefor from that other person.

Article 14. Protection from Slavery and Forced Labour

No person shall be held in slavery or servitude.
No person shall be required to perform forced labour.
For the purpose of this Article, the expression “forced labour” does not include—
1. any labour required in consequence of a sentence or order of a court;
2. 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;
3. 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;
4. 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
5. any labour reasonably required as part of reasonable and normal communal or other civic obligation.

Article 15. Protection from Inhuman Treatment

No person shall be subjected to torture, or to inhuman or degrading punishment or other like treatment.

Article 16. Protection from Deprivation of Property

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.
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—
1. in satisfaction of any tax, rate or due;
2. by way of penalty for breach of any law, whether under civil process or after conviction of an offence;
3. in execution of judgements or orders of courts;
4. upon the attempted removal of the property in question out of or into Zambia in contravention of any law;
5. as an incident of a contract including a lease, tenancy, mortgage, charge, pledge or bill of sale or of a title deed to land;
6. 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;
7. by way of the vesting of enemy property or for the purpose of the administration of such property;
8. for the purpose of—
  1. 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;
  2. 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;
  3. the administration of the property of a person who has entered into a deed of arrangement for the benefit of his creditors; or
  4. 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;
9. in consequence of any law relating to the limitation of actions;
10. in terms of any law relating to abandoned, unoccupied, unutilised or undeveloped land, as defined in such law;
11. in terms of any law relating to absent or non-resident owners, as defined in such law, of any property;
12. in terms of any law relating to trusts or settlements;
13. 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;
14. as a condition in connection with the granting of permission for the utilisation of that or other property in any particular manner;
15. 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;
16. 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;
17. by way of the taking of a sample for the purposes of any law;
18. 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;
19. where the property consists of an animal, upon its being found trespassing or straying;
20. 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—
  1. of work for the purpose of the conservation of natural resources or any description; or
  2. 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;
21. where the property consists of any licence or permit;
22. where the property consists of wild animals existing in their natural habitat or the carcasses of wild animals;
23. 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;
24. 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—
  1. 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
  2. in terms of any law vesting any such property or rights in the President;
25. 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;
26. 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;
27. in terms of any law relating to—
  1. 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;
  2. 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.
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.

Article 17. Protection for Privacy of Home and Other Property

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.
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—
1. 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;
2. that is reasonably required for the purpose of protecting the rights or freedoms of other persons;
3. 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
4. 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.

Article 18. Provisions to Secure Protection of Law

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.
Every person who is charged with a criminal offence—
1. shall be presumed to be innocent until he is proved or has pleaded guilty;
2. shall be informed as soon as reasonably practicable, in a language that he understands and in detail, of the nature of the offence charged;
3. shall be given adequate time and facilities for the preparation of his defence;
4. 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;
5. 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
6. 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.
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.
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.
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.
No person shall be tried for a criminal offence if he shows that he has been pardoned for that offence.
No person who is tried for a criminal offence shall be compelled to give evidence at the trial.
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.
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.
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.
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—
1. may consider necessary or expedient in circumstances where publicity would prejudice the interest of justice or in interlocutory proceedings; or
2. 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.
Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of—
1. 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;
2. 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;
3. paragraph (c) 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;
4. clause (2) to the extent that it is shown that the law provides that—
  1. 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
  2. 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;
5. 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;
6. clause (5) to the extent that it is shown that the law in question authorises a court to try a member of a disciplined force 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.
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.
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).
In this Article “criminal offence” means a criminal offence under the law in force in Zambia.

Article 19. Protection of Freedom of Conscience

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.
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.
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.
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.
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—
1. in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health; or
2. 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.

Article 20. Protection of Freedom of Expression

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.
Subject to the provisions of this Constitution no law shall make any provision that derogates from freedom of the press.
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—
1. that is reasonably required in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health; or
2. 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
3. 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.

Article 21. Protection of Freedom of Assembly and Association

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.
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—
1. that is reasonably required in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health;
2. that is reasonably required for the purpose of protecting the rights or freedoms of other persons;
3. that imposes restrictions upon public officers; or
4. 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.

Article 22. Protection of Freedom of Movement

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—
1. the right to move freely throughout Zambia;
2. the right to reside in any part of Zambia; and
3. the right to leave Zambia and to return to Zambia.
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.
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—
1. 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;
2. for the imposition of restrictions on the freedom of movement of any person who is not a citizen of Zambia;
3. for the imposition of restrictions upon the movement or residence within Zambia of public officers; or
4. 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.

Article 23. Protection from Discrimination on the Ground of Race, etc

Subject to clauses (4), (5) and (7), no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
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.
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.
Clause (1) shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision—
1. for the appropriation of the general revenues of the Republic;
2. with respect to persons who are not citizens of Zambia;
3. with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other matters of personal law;
4. 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
5. 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.
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.
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).
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.
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.

Article 24. Protection of Young Persons from Exploitation

No young person shall be employed 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.
All young persons shall be protected against physical or mental ill-treatment, all forms of neglect, cruelty or exploitation.
No young person shall be the subject of traffic in any form.
In this Article “young person” means any person under the age of fifteen years.

Article 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, of 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.

Article 26. Provisions Relating to Restriction and Detention

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—
1. 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;
2. 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;
3. 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;
4. 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
5. 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.
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.
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.
Nothing contained in paragraph (d) or (e) of clause (1) shall be construed as entitling a person to legal representation at public expense.
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.
Clauses (11) and (12) or Article 18 shall be read and construed subject to the provisions of this Article.

Article 27. Reference of Certain Matters to Special Tribunal

Whenever—
1. a request is made in accordance with clause (2) for a report on a bill or statutory instrument; or
2. 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.
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—
1. in the case of a bill, to the Speaker within three days after the final reading of the bill in the Assembly.
2. 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.
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—
1. 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;
2. 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.
In determining any claim for legal aid as referred to in clause (2), the tribunal may grant to any person who satisfies it that—
1. he intends to bring or is an applicant in proceedings under clause (1) or (4) of Article 28;
2. he has reasonable grounds for bringing the application; and
3. 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.
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.
For the purposes of clause (5)—
1. 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;
2. 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.
In this Article, “prescribed period” means—
1. 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;
2. in relation to a statutory instrument, the period of forty days commencing with the day on which the instrument is published in the Gazette.
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.

Article 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—
  1. hear and determine any such application;
  2. determine any question arising in the case of any person which is referred to it in pursuance of clause (2);
  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

1. 1. 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.
  2. 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.

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.
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.

Article 29. Declaration of War

The President may, in consultation with Cabinet, at any time, by Proclamation published in the Gazette declare war.
A declaration made under clause (1) shall continue in force until the cessation of hostilities.
An Act of Parliament shall provide for the conditions and circumstances under which a declaration may be made under clause (1).

Article 30. Declaration of Public Emergency

The President may, in consultation with Cabinet, at any time, by Proclamation published in the Gazette declare that a State of public emergency exists.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The National Assembly may, by resolution, at any time revoke a resolution made by it under this Article.
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.
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.

Article 31. Declaration Relating to Threatened Emergency

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The National Assembly may by resolution, at any time revoke a resolution made by it under this Article.
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.
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.

Article 32. Interpretation and Savings

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 naval, military or air force;
  
  the Zambia Police Force; or
  
  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.
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.
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.