FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2026

This afternoon, the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) concluded its submission to the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs, Human Rights and Governance, presenting a detailed memorandum on the state of refugees and asylum seekers in Zambia.

The submission, made at 3:30 PM, was in response to an invitation by the National Assembly of Zambia issued in December 2025, requesting civil society input on the adequacy of Zambia’s legal, policy, and institutional frameworks governing refugees and asylum seekers.

A Human Rights–Centred Reflection

JCTR’s memorandum situates refuge and asylum firmly within the framework of human dignity and fundamental human rights. Drawing from Zambia’s long-standing history of hosting displaced persons since the 1940s, the submission acknowledges the country’s commendable hospitality and regional leadership, particularly in providing protection to refugees from conflict-affected neighbouring states.


However, the memorandum equally highlights that generosity alone is insufficient without a robust, rights-based legal and policy environment that responds to contemporary displacement realities.

Key Issues Raised

The submission critically examined:

  • The adequacy of the legal and policy framework, including the Refugees Act (2017), the National Refugee Policy (2023), and their alignment with international obligations.
  • Restrictions on freedom of movement and access to employment, which continue to limit refugee self-reliance and socio-economic inclusion.
  • Institutional and administrative challenges, such as the centralisation of refugee services, delays in refugee status determination, and limited institutional capacity.
  • Citizenship and statelessness concerns, particularly for children born in Zambia to refugee parents who remain excluded under the current citizenship-by-descent regime.
  • Gaps in awareness among law enforcement agencies regarding the distinction between asylum seekers, refugees, and irregular migrants.

Recommendations for Reform

Among its key recommendations, JCTR called for:

  • Legislative reforms to explicitly entrench the principle of non-refoulement in national law.
  • Decentralisation of the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees to major entry points.
  • Relaxation of restrictive policies on movement and employment for refugees.
  • Review of the Citizenship Act and constitutional provisions to prevent statelessness among children born to refugees.
  • Strengthened institutional coordination, capacity-building, and investment in refugee-hosting areas.

Towards a Just and Inclusive Zambia

JCTR reaffirmed that strengthening refugee protection is not only a legal obligation but also a moral and developmental imperative. A rights-based and inclusive refugee response contributes to social cohesion, economic participation, and regional stability, in line with Zambia’s constitutional values and international commitments.


The full memorandum submitted to the Committee is available below for access and reference.