Two civil society organisations, Chapter One Foundation and the LCK Freedom Foundation, have formally filed an appeal with the Human Rights Commission over the alleged failure by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to release documents relating to Zambia-United States health aid agreements.
In a joint statement issued by Chapter One Foundation Executive Director Josiah Kalala and LCK Freedom Foundation Executive Director Linda Kasonde, the organisations say the appeal has been made in accordance with the Access to Information Act No. 24 of 2023 after the ministries allegedly failed to respond within the legally required seven-day period.
The organisations are seeking access to copies of the Zambia–US Health Aid Memorandum of Understanding and the related Bilateral Compact Agreement, which they say have potential implications for the country’s public health system, citizens’ privacy and the management of mineral resources.
They have since urged the Human Rights Commission to intervene and ensure that government institutions comply with the Access to Information Act and uphold transparency and accountability in matters of public interest.
By Victoria Kayeye Yambani
