Submitted by jhortolani on
This report is part of CRIN's access to justice for children project, looking at the status of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in national law, the status of children involved in legal proceedings, the legal means to challenge violations of children’s rights and the practical considerations involved in challenging violations.
Zambia ratified the CRC without any reservations, however, the CRC has not been fully implemented. Concerns have been raised that some customary laws contradict the principles and provisions of the CRC. There are provisions within the Zambian Constitution and other legislation for the protection of children's rights. There are decisions by the Zambian courts which are consistent with the CRC, but the courts do not apply the CRC directly. Children cannot initiate legal proceedings to challenge violations of their rights themselves, but need to be assisted by a “litigation friend”. In the penal context, child defendants are not generally guaranteed legal representation due to a lack of resources within the Zambian Legal Aid department.
