No Violence, Stronger Rights: HRC-Z, UNDP Sign Agreement to Protect Zambians and Safeguard Elections
Human Rights Commission of Zambia (HRC-Z) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a Letter of Agreement to implement the second phase of the Early Warning and Early Response System (EWERS), aimed at strengthening mechanisms for preventing violence and protecting human rights in Zambia.
The agreement was signed on 5 March 2026 at the Commission’s headquarters in Lusaka as part of the Deepening Democracy Project (DDP), which focuses on improving the monitoring, reporting and response to emerging human rights risks, particularly during electoral processes.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, HRC-Z Director General Mbololwa Wamunyima said the agreement marked an important step in strengthening the longstanding partnership between the Commission and UNDP.
She said the signing was more than a procedural milestone and reflected a shared commitment to advancing democratic governance, strengthening institutions and promoting the rights and freedoms of all people in Zambia.
Ms Wamunyima also reflected on the successful pilot phase of EWERS implemented in 2021 under the Strengthening Democracy in Zambia Project. The system was designed to identify, report, analyse and respond to threats and incidents of violence during elections.
According to the Commission, the EWERS online reporting platform received and processed 328 reports of threats or incidents of political violence during the 2021 general elections. The reports were submitted from all ten provinces within two months of the platform’s launch in July 2021.
Ms Wamunyima said the pilot phase significantly strengthened the Commission’s institutional capacity, including expanding its presence across the country.
“Hosting the system supported the expansion of the Commission’s presence across the country, with new provincial offices established in Central, Muchinga, Luapula and North-Western provinces, enabling the Commission to now maintain offices in all ten provinces,” she said.
She added that the recruitment and deployment of 86 monitors across 81 districts strengthened the Commission’s ability to monitor and respond to human rights concerns in communities.
The EWERS Situation Room also facilitated structured information sharing among stakeholders, allowing for coordinated responses to incidents that threatened citizens’ rights, public order and democratic participation.
Ms Wamunyima noted that the second phase of the initiative comes at a critical time as Zambia prepares for the next electoral cycle and continues implementing constitutional and electoral reforms.
“As a Commission established under Article 230 of the Constitution, our mandate compels us not only to react to violations but to prevent them. Early warning and early response mechanisms are therefore central to fulfilling our constitutional responsibilities,” she said.
Meanwhile, UNDP Resident Representative James Wakiaga said the agreement reflects a renewed commitment to preventing violence and strengthening democratic resilience through early detection and timely response.
Dr Wakiaga explained that Phase II of EWERS will include the reactivation of the EWERS Situation Room at the HRC headquarters, the provision of mobile phones to field monitors and training programmes to strengthen the capacity of HRC staff and partners.
He said the programme would also increase public awareness through community outreach, radio programmes and digital platforms to ensure citizens are informed about reporting channels, including toll-free lines and online reporting platforms.
Dr Wakiaga emphasised the need for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach involving oversight institutions, security agencies, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, youth networks and community groups.
The initiative is supported by development partners including the governments of Denmark, Luxembourg, Republic of Korea and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom.
Both HRC-Z and UNDP reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation aimed at promoting peace, protecting human rights and safeguarding democratic processes in Zambia.
