Zambia: Zambia - Closing Courts Curbs Access to Justice
[HRW] Johannesburg -- Closing Coincided with Deadline for Challenging Election Results
On August 24, 2026, Zambian authorities abruptly closed and secured the country's courts, preventing the filing of legal challenges to the outcome of the August 13 presidential election, according to Human Rights Watch. The decision, made without clear justification, effectively blocked the constitutional process for contesting the election results.
Police claimed the closures were a preventive, intelligence-led measure, but offered no further details. The closure coincided with the deadline for filing legal challenges to the election, which President Hakainde Hichilema had been declared the winner on August 18. The courts, crucial for resolving election disputes, play a vital role in upholding constitutional rights and ensuring transparency and due process.
Allan Ngari, Africa advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, emphasized that blocking access to the courts denies opposition parties the necessary avenue to contest election outcomes. The Electoral Commission of Zambia declared Hichilema the winner with 60.7% of the vote, compared to 38% for his opponent, Brian Mundubile. Mundubile had already challenged the results, alleging serious irregularities.
The closure of courts, Human Rights Watch stressed, undermines the administration of justice and Zambians' constitutional right to challenge electoral results. International human rights law obliges Zambia to protect court independence and provide effective remedies for violations. The Law Association of Zambia also expressed concerns over the lack of explanation for the court closures, hinting at a possible attempt to thwart the right to challenge election results.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
