Human Rights Commission Act. Country/Territory Zambia Document type Legislation Date 1996 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject General Keyword Institution Access-to-justice Education Equity Human rights Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings Social protection Geographical area Africa, Eastern Africa, Landlocked Developing Nations, Least Developed Countries Abstract This Act, comprising 27 Sections, aims to provide for the functions, powers, and composition of the Human Rights Commission as an independent constitutional body that is not subject to the direction or control of any person or authority. The Commissioners are responsible for investigating human rights violations, proposing preventive measures, visiting prisons and detention facilities, conducting research and education, and making recommendations to redress existing problems. Section 10 grants the Commission powers to investigate any human rights abuses on its initiative or receipt of a complaint or allegation from an aggrieved person or group, and to issue summons, question witnesses, require disclosure of information, and recommend punishment or compensation, outlining in the following Sections the procedure for making and handling complaints or allegations of human rights violations, stipulating that the Commission shall conduct its sittings in public and make its reports public. Responsible for the management, administration, and implementation of the Commission’s functions is the Directorate of the Commission, which consists of a Director, a Deputy Director, and other staff, established in Chapter III of the Act. It provides for the financial and other matters of the Commission, such as its funds, accounts, annual report, rules, and regulations. Full text English Website www.parliament.gov.zm