In Zambia, the right to assemble is guaranteed under the consitution but the reality is often different. Police are accused of infringing civil rights by withholding permits. But what needs to be done to change this?
"We believe the actions of the police contravene the law," Sitali said, adding that he intended to take the matter to court to establish whether the police action was constitutional.Protesters have even accused authorities of using lethal force to disperse certain groups, such as opposition political parties -- and even ordinary citizens who express anti-government views. But the tone is somewhat different when supporters of the ruling party gather.
The act states that authorities may stop a procession for which a permit has not been issued. However, some activists argue that it is frequently used as a political tool to prevent opposition supporters and citizens with dissenting views from gathering. "When you are in the opposition, you cry about the Public Order Act, but when you are in government, you see the benefits of the act," Sangwa said.