By STEVEN ZANDE –
THE Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has rescinded its position and has urged Zambians to seize the opportunity and vote ‘Yes’ to the proposed amendments to the Bill of Rights during the Referendum which will be held alongside the general elections on August 11.
LAZ president Linda Kasonde said it was important that Zambians took advantage and voted for the Bill of Rights which sought to enhance the various citizens’ social, economic and cultural rights.
LAZ has in the past objected to the country holding the Referendum alongside the general elections because of the short time before the election and the way in which the Referendum question has been phrased.
Ms Kasonde said during a Press briefing in Lusaka yesterday that LAZ had decided to back the Referendum because the benefits of supporting the proposed amendments to the Bill of Rights outweighed the prevailing disadvantages.
She said apart from the new civil and political rights, the proposed Bill of Rights would introduce enforceable social, economic and cultural social rights which Zambians needed.
Ms Kasonde said LAZ and its members would do their best to encourage citizens to accept the proposed amendments and help sensitise them on the implications of the amendments.
