A/HRC/61/50/Add.1
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
17 March 2026
Original: English
Human Rights Council
Sixty-first session
23 February–2 April 2026
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights,
including the right to development
Visit to Zambia
Report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief,
Nazila Ghanea*, **
Summary
The Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Nazila Ghanea, visited
Zambia from 31 March to 11 April 2025. The purpose of the visit was to assess freedom of
thought, conscience, religion and belief in Zambia, to welcome positive practices and to
identify existing and emerging obstacles to the enjoyment of this right, on the basis of which
recommendations would be offered. In her report, the Special Rapporteur assesses the laws,
policies and practices of the Zambian authorities in the light of international obligations and
finds that while there is much to commend regarding the enjoyment of this right in Zambia,
there is room for progress, with some societal risks at play. There is a need to go beyond the
models of the past to give full effect to freedom of religion or belief for all on an equal basis.
* The present report was submitted to the conference services for processing after the deadline so as to
include the most recent information.
** The summary of the present report is being circulated in all official languages. The report itself,
which is annexed to the summary, is being circulated in the language of submission only.
GE.26-02761 (E)
160326 170326