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On 14 April 2026, the United Nations in Zambia facilitated a workshop bringing together representatives from the Zambian Government, UN agencies including the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), IOM and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as well as the Human Rights Commission and Civil Society organizations to validate the State Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Mid-Term Report. This meeting was a significant step towards strengthening national accountability and transparency in human rights implementation. Progress on UPR RecommendationsDuring the meeting, Ms Mwenya Kaela Bwalya, Permanent Secretary (Legal) at the Ministry of Justice, highlighted Zambia’s progress in implementing UPR recommendations. She noted key legislative advancements, including the enactment of the Anti Gender-Based Violence Act, the Education Act, the Gender Equity and Equality Act, and the Children's Code Act. The Children’s Code Act harmonized all laws relating to children and domesticated the Charter on the Rights of the Child, marking a significant achievement in child rights protection.Ms Bwalya further explained that Zambia had acceded to and signed several international instruments. Among these was the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which aims to abolish the death penalty. The Protocol was deposited at the United Nations in 2024, reaffirming Zambia’s commitment to human rights and the abolition of capital punishment.Inclusive Participation in the UPR ProcessThe UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Beatrice Mutali, applauded the Government’s engagement with the UPR and emphasized the importance of inclusivity in the UPR process. She underscored the principle of leaving no one behind, noting that the process should prioritize the inclusion of individuals in vulnerable and marginalized situations, ensuring their voices are heard,  their rights are protected, recommendations related to their protection are prioritised and that leaving no one behind remains central to the UPR’s objectives.Zambia’s International Commitments and EngagementZambia continues to demonstrate strong commitment to its international human rights obligations. The country has ratified eight of the nine core international human rights treaties and actively engages with the UPR process of the United Nations Human Rights Council. In the fourth UPR cycle held in January 2023, Zambia received 250 recommendations and supported 226 upon adoption in July 2023, an increase of 23 percent over the previous cycle. These recommendations span civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, including women’s and children’s rights, freedom of expression, international humanitarian law, and institutional reforms.Strengthening National Mechanisms and Coordinated EffortsZambia’s progress reflects enhanced efforts to align domestic laws, policies, and practices with constitutional and international human rights standards. The National Mechanism for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-up (NMIRF), coordinated through an Inter-Ministerial Committee, plays a central role. This mechanism has improved coordination, data collection, and integration of human rights commitments into national development planning frameworks.Reporting and OversightTo promote transparency and accountability, the Ministry of Justice intends to submit a voluntary UPR mid-term report, providing an opportunity to assess progress, identify challenges, and reinforce national ownership of the UPR process. In addition, Zambia’s Human Rights Commission plans to submit an independent UPR shadow report, thereby strengthening oversight and credibility through multi-stakeholder engagement. The UNCT will also submit a report.UN Support and Multi-Stakeholder EngagementThe United Nations system in Zambia continues to provide technical, convening, and financial support to consolidate human rights progress. In October and December 2025 respectively the UN assisted the Ministry of Justice in convening a multi-stakeholder consultation to align UPR and Treaty Body recommendations with national priorities. In January 2026, both the Ministry of Justice and the Human Rights Commission formally requested UN support for the preparation of the national UPR mid-term report and the Commission’s shadow report.From January to April 2026, several targeted activities were conducted, including a five-day NMIRF drafting session in Lusaka with 50 participants reviewing UPR progress, a two-day national validation workshop,  involved 40 participants from government, human rights commission, civil society, academia andthe UNThese engagements fostered inclusive dialogue, validation of findings, and collective ownership of the reporting process.Simultaneously, the Human Rights Commission held a two-day drafting session for its shadow report, while the United Nations Country Team prepared its own mid-term submission.Consolidating Progress Towards Vision 2030This coordinated support aims to strengthen awareness, coordination, and accountability for UPR implementation. It helps assess progress and capacity gaps, supports the development of an inclusive national UPR action plan, reinforces the independence and oversight role of the Human Rights Commission, and mainstreams human rights across Zambia’s Vision 2030, National Development Plans, and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.