ZIEM Urges Establishment of Environmental Court During EU-Funded Project Launch
The Zambia Institute of Environmental Management (ZIEM) has advocated for the establishment of an Environmental Court in Zambia to address challenges related to environmental rights violations.
This call was made during the launch of the ‘Strengthening the Respect for Environmental Rights in Zambia’ (SR4ER) project, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by Hivos, Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ), and ZIEM.
According to Morgan Katati, ZIEM’s Executive Director, the introduction of an Environmental Court is crucial due to existing legal challenges in effectively addressing environmental rights violations.
Katati emphasized the need for progressive provisions in the Bill of Rights to allow for the establishment of such a court, highlighting the significance of cooperation with state organs and civil society in maintaining a clean, healthy, and safe environment.
The absence of justiciability of environmental rights in Zambia’s Bill of Rights presents obstacles in exercising and overseeing these rights, as stated by Katati.
He also underscored the need to address issues such as cumulative environmental impacts and the retrospective application of the law, particularly in areas like Mufulira’s Kankoyo and Kabwe, affected by lead poisoning.
Furthermore, Freeman Mubanga, Head of Research and Studies at the Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ), expressed gratitude to the European Union for supporting the project, which aims to positively impact the protection of environmental rights in Zambia.
Nana Zulu, HIVOS Regional Director, highlighted the project’s significance in advancing environmental justice and sustainability in the country, marking a significant milestone in the collective journey towards these goals.
