Concerns over new Internet law

Zambian President Edgar Lungu recently signed the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Bill into law. Its purported aim is to protect people from various forms of online abuse – but there are concerns it could also allow for blanket Internet shutdowns and the suppression of free speech. In a Daily Maverick analysis, Muleya Mwananyanda says Ethiopia and Zimbabwe have both used these laws to suppress dissent and protect and shield the ruling political elites from public scrutiny. He points out that Zambia’s new law in Zambia contains provisions that are incompatible with domestic, regional and international human rights standards. ‘Of particular concern are some definitions contained in section 2 of the Act. For example, “hate speech”, includes among other definitions, communication that “involves hostility or segregation” towards groups of people on the basis of “economic status”. While states have an obligation to prohibit hate speech, this proscription must serve a legitimate purpose and not be disproportionate. This prohibition aims to protect human rights to equality and non-discrimination, but as “hate speech” is a notoriously difficult concept to define, loose definitions such as this are dangerous.’