135. JAL 11/01/2016. Case no. ZMB 4/2015. State reply: None. Alleged undue delays in registration process of a non-governmental organization working on Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) issues.
Observations
137. The Special Rapporteur reiterates his concern at the reportedly undue delays in reviewing the application for registration of the Engender Rights Centre for Justice and the subsequent refusal to register it for reasons that could be related to the organization’s peaceful activities in advocating and speaking out against discrimination and defending the rights of LGBTI persons in Zambia. The Special Rapporteur further reiterates his concerns with regard to the judicial proceedings against Mr. Kasonkomona that appear to result from the legitimate exercise of his right to freedom of expression on a TV show and more generally to his human rights activities within the Engender Rights Centre for Justice.
140. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur refers to refer to the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (A/HRC/19/41) in which he insists on the right of LGBTI not to be discriminated against and enjoy human rights on an equal footing, including in the context of their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
Link to full text of the report: report-srassembly-communications-and-replies-2016-eng-fra-esp
Link to Special Rapporteur’s correspondence with the State: correspondence-sr-zambia-4-2015-eng
