UP Zambia:Free Legal & Social Support for Children

Thank you for your generous financial support and additional funding. With your help, Undikumbukire Project Zambia (UP Zambia) has positively impacted 334 children in police stations and correctional facilities between January and June 2024, providing them with free legal services.

In the first and second quarters of 2024, UP Zambia offered legal assistance at the Lusaka Remand Correctional Facility and six police stations in Lusaka. This included tracing parents for children whose cases needed to proceed to trial, as well as conducting informational sessions at Lusaka Remand and police desks. These sessions covered topics such as children's legal rights and responsibilities, conflict resolution, substance abuse, and anti-violence initiatives (including gang prevention) when released within their communities.

Of the 98 clients UP Zambia assisted in court, 42 children received free legal representation at both the Children’s Court (High Court) and the Juvenile Court (Subordinate Court) during the first half of the year. Additionally, 137 children at police stations were assisted, and we facilitated diversion (channeling children away from formal court proceedings) in 47 cases.

In the first quarter, UP Zambia also prepared a preliminary report on the Children’s Code Act Survey, which was conducted in 13 districts in Zambia in the last quarter of 2023. The survey assessed the level of knowledge and implementation of the Children’s Code Act following its enactment in August 2022. Early in 2024 the findings were presented to UNICEF, GIZ, and the European Union (EU), who expressed strong interest. With financial support from GIZ, we engaged a consultant to further analyze the survey data and prepare the final report, which will be validated by stakeholders before publication. The final report is expected to be released in September 2024.

Client Success Story: In collaboration with the Legal Aid Board, UP Zambia successfully secured constitutional bail for a young adult male who appeared at the High Court. He was 16 years old when he was arrested for a serious offense he was accused of, but throughout his detention, he maintained his innocence. After four years in prison, he was finally reunited with his family and celebrated his birthday with them just one week after his release.

We express our gratitude for the invaluable financial support received from you and our partners which has empowered children have access to free legal services in Zambia.

Thank you for your generous financial support and additional funding sources, Undikumbukire Project Zambia (UP Zambia) has made significant impact to a total of 50 children between January to March 2024 that have benefitted from free legal services.

In the first quarter of 2024, UP Zambia actively pursued cases, particularly focusing on aiding children. Utilizing strategic litigation, we ensured that numerous children gained access to justice.

Among the significant cases we handled this year, one required a unique approach, advocating for an 18 year old girl who the police recorded a wrong age and initially charged as an adult instead of as a child. In Zambia, a child remains in the children’s court system through the age of 18.

Offering free representation, UP Zambia staff attorney applied to the court for an age determination examination under the Children’s Code Act section 71 to clear up the issue of our client’s disputed change. Upon receiving the medical assessment of the girl’s age, the court made a groundbreaking ruling stating that medical assessments must be interpreted in favour of the child. Although her case is ongoing, she will now be tried within the children’s court when proceedings resume in June.

We express our gratitude for the invaluable financial support received in the first quarter of 2024 which empowered children have access through free legal services.