United Nations Special Rapporteur Irene Khan has strongly called on the Zambian government to decriminalize offences such as hate speech, sedition, and libel, stating that they infringe on freedom of expression.

Khan urged the UPND administration to fully implement the Access to Information Act without further delay.

In her report on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression in Zambia, Khan emphasized that these laws are inconsistent with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

She recommended that the government align with the growing trend across Africa and beyond by abolishing criminal defamation laws—specifically calling for the repeal of Section 191 of the Penal Code (criminal libel), as well as laws on seditious practices (Section 57) and the use of insulting language.