Malcolm Rivera
The Zambian constitution, established in 1991 and revised in 2016, outlines the country's form of governance, its commitment to democracy and human rights, and its recognition of the nation's multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-cultural character. It consists of various clauses and paragraphs that define the rights and freedoms of Zambians, the role of the Republic, and the distribution of power. The constitution also addresses specific legal matters, such as criminal offences, legal representation, and the independence of the judiciary.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of government | Republic under a constitutional form of governance |
| Sovereignty | Vests in the people of Zambia |
| Territory | Defined in an Act of Parliament |
| Nature of the Republic | Unitary, indivisible, multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-cultural, and multi-party democratic |
| Ceding of territory | Cannot be ceded in whole or in part |
| International organizations | Can enter into unions or other forms of inter-state organizations |
| Constitutional authority | Uphold human rights, freedoms, democracy, good governance, and values relating to family, morality, patriotism, and justice |
| Equality | Confirmed equal worth of women and men |
| Nature of the nation | Multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-religious, and multi-cultural |
| Nature of the state | Unitary, multi-party, and democratic sovereign |
| Year | 1991 (revised in 2016) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Zambia's type of government
Zambia is a democratic republic with a multi-party system. The country's constitution, enacted in 1991, outlines the country's commitment to upholding human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy, and good governance. It also recognises the multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-religious, and multi-cultural character of the nation.
The Zambian government is structured as a presidential representative democracy, with the president serving as both the head of state and the head of government. The president is elected by universal adult suffrage for a maximum of two five-year terms and has the power to appoint a cabinet of ministers, deputy ministers, and provincial deputy ministers. The president also appoints members to the National Assembly, which is the legislative body of the government.
The National Assembly plays a crucial role in the Zambian political system. It is composed of directly elected members, presidentially appointed members, and a speaker. The Assembly has the power to pass legislation and oversee the work of the government. Additionally, it works simultaneously with the election of the president, with a small proportion of its members being nominated by the president.
The judiciary in Zambia is independent of the executive and legislative branches. The constitution guarantees the right to a fair and public trial and establishes the independence and impartiality of the courts. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land, and women hold positions within it, reflecting the country's commitment to gender equality.
At the provincial level, the government is represented by appointed Provincial Ministers, who perform the duties of governors. These ministers are responsible for overseeing the political and economic developments within their respective provinces. The provinces are further divided into districts, each with a district council chairman who works closely with the provincial deputy minister.
The Constitution's Citizenship Clause: Defining American Identity
You may want to see also
Rights and freedoms
The Zambian Constitution of 1991 (rev. 2016) outlines the country's commitment to upholding the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all its citizens. This includes freedom of conscience, belief, and religion, as well as freedom of expression, movement, and association. The Constitution also guarantees the right to a fair trial and ensures that all individuals are equal before the law, regardless of race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed, sex, or marital status.
The Constitution declares Zambia a Christian nation while also upholding the right to freedom of conscience, belief, and religion for all its citizens. It recognises the multi-religious nature of the country and protects the right to observe and practice any religion without interference from members of other religions. This freedom of religion is further emphasised by the provision that guarantees freedom of expression, which includes the freedom to hold and impart opinions, ideas, and information without interference.
The right to a fair trial is ensured through independent and impartial courts, where all individuals have the right to a public trial and the assistance of legal representation. The Constitution also outlines limitations on the employment of children, ensuring that their health and well-being are not compromised.
Zambia's Constitution also affirms the equal worth of women and men, guaranteeing their right to participate freely and equally in shaping the political, legal, economic, and social order. It upholds the principle of non-discrimination, stating that no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory in nature. This commitment to non-discrimination extends to other aspects such as race, place of origin, colour, creed, and marital status.
Additionally, the Constitution recognises the sovereign authority of the people of Zambia and their right to manage their affairs and resources sustainably. It commits to upholding the principles of democracy and good governance, ensuring that the functions of the state are performed in the common interest of all citizens.
Justice Department: Executive Branch Arm?
You may want to see also
Democracy and governance
The Zambian Constitution, established in 1991 and revised in 2016, outlines the country's commitment to democracy and good governance. It declares Zambia a sovereign Republic, with a constitutional form of governance. This means that the ultimate authority rests with the people of Zambia, who may exercise their power directly or through elected or appointed representatives.
The Constitution emphasises the Republic's unity and indivisibility, recognising its multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-religious, and multi-cultural character. It upholds the equal worth of all citizens, regardless of gender, and guarantees their right to freely participate in and shape the country's political, legal, economic, and social order. This includes the freedom of conscience, belief, and religion, as well as the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Zambia's Constitution also outlines the country's judicial system, ensuring the independence and impartiality of courts. It guarantees the right to a fair and public trial, with reasonable timelines for proceedings. The Constitution also addresses issues of contempt of court and the determination of civil rights and obligations.
Additionally, the Constitution allows for the Republic to enter into unions or other forms of interstate organisations without this being construed as ceding the Republic's sovereignty. This flexibility enables Zambia to engage in international cooperation while retaining its independence. Overall, the Zambian Constitution provides a strong framework for democracy and governance, promoting inclusivity, participation, and the protection of human rights.
The Department of Justice: Who Are Its Key Members?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$71.8 $72
Equality of women and men
The Zambian Constitution of 1991 (revised in 2016) consists of 280 articles and addresses the equality of women and men in several ways.
Firstly, it confirms the equal worth of women and men and their right to freely participate in, determine, and build a sustainable political, legal, economic, and social order. This is stated in the preamble, which sets out the guiding principles of the Constitution. The preamble also includes a commitment to upholding human rights and fundamental freedoms for all people, which provides a basis for gender equality.
Secondly, the Constitution recognises the multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-religious, and multi-cultural character of Zambia, and the right of the people to manage their affairs and resources sustainably within a devolved system of governance. This recognition is important for gender equality, as it ensures that the diverse experiences and perspectives of women and men from different backgrounds are acknowledged and valued.
Thirdly, the Constitution outlines the role of the government in promoting economic empowerment and development. Article 10 states that the government shall promote the economic empowerment of citizens to contribute to sustainable economic growth and social development. This includes both women and men, and by promoting equal economic opportunities, the Constitution aims to reduce gender disparities.
Furthermore, the Constitution addresses the issue of gender-based violence and discrimination. While there is no specific mention of gender-based violence in the Constitution, Article 8 establishes national values and principles, including human dignity, equity, social justice, equality, and non-discrimination. This provides a framework for addressing gender-based violence and discrimination, as it recognises the inherent dignity and worth of all individuals, regardless of their gender.
Additionally, the Constitution ensures the right to a fair trial and an independent judiciary. This is significant for gender equality as it guarantees that women and men have equal access to justice and that gender bias or discrimination will not be tolerated in legal proceedings.
In conclusion, the Zambian Constitution of 1991 (rev. 2016) provides a strong foundation for the equality of women and men by confirming their equal worth, upholding human rights and fundamental freedoms, recognising the country's diverse character, promoting economic empowerment, and establishing national values of non-discrimination and equality before the law. While there may be challenges in fully realising these principles, the Constitution sets a clear direction for achieving gender equality in Zambia.
Exploring India's Constitution: Are Acts Part of It?
You may want to see also
Zambian sovereignty
The Zambian Constitution of 1991 (revised in 2016) outlines the country's commitment to sovereignty, democracy, and the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The constitution declares Zambia a sovereign Republic, emphasising the unitary, indivisible, and multi-party democratic nature of the state. This means that Zambia is committed to remaining a single entity, not to be ceded in whole or in part, upholding its territorial integrity.
The Zambian Constitution vests sovereign authority in the people of Zambia, who may exercise their power directly or through elected or appointed representatives and institutions. This ensures that the ultimate decision-making power rests with the citizens of Zambia, allowing them to shape the country's future. The constitution also recognises the diverse nature of Zambian society, committing to uphold the multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-religious, and multi-cultural character of the nation. This aspect of the constitution promotes inclusivity and ensures that the rights and cultures of all Zambian citizens are respected and protected.
Additionally, the constitution guarantees the human rights and fundamental freedoms of every person, including the right to freedom of conscience, belief, and religion. It also confirms the equal worth of women and men, ensuring their right to participate freely and build a sustainable political, legal, economic, and social order. This commitment to equality and social justice is a cornerstone of Zambia's sovereignty, ensuring that all citizens, regardless of gender, have an equal voice in shaping the country's future.
The Zambian Constitution also outlines the country's judicial system and the independence of its courts. It guarantees the right to a public trial and ensures that all courts and adjudicating authorities are independent and impartial. This aspect of the constitution is crucial in upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all citizens have equal access to justice, which is a fundamental principle of a sovereign and democratic state.
In conclusion, the Zambian Constitution of 1991 (rev. 2016) provides a comprehensive framework for the country's sovereignty. It establishes Zambia as a sovereign Republic, committed to democracy, human rights, and the protection of its citizens' freedoms. Through this constitution, Zambia has enshrined the values of territorial integrity, diversity, equality, and the rule of law, ensuring that the country's sovereignty is upheld and that the rights of its citizens are protected and promoted.
Ethics and the Constitution: A Moral Foundation
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Zambian constitution of 1991, revised in 2016, has 12 parts.
The Zambian constitution outlines the country's commitment to democracy, human rights, and freedom of religion and conscience. It also establishes Zambia as a unitary, multi-party, and democratic sovereign state.
The Zambian constitution was last revised in 2016, with an amendment made by Act No. 3 of 5 January 2016.
