Support Legal Services for Zambian Children

Over the last few months, Undikumbukire project Zambia has provided access to legal services through pro-bono counsel for children that have been in contact with the law. Without identifying the children assisted, two cases that stood out are as follows:

A juvenile had been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. His case kept getting adjourned for close a year due to lack of witness appearance. After taking plea, the presiding magistrate unfortunately passed away and this meant waiting for his case to be reassigned to a different magistrate. The reallocation took three weeks. The team eventually managed to locate the witness and the matter was concluded through Alternative dispute Resolution where the matter was withdrawn and the juvenile was discharged.

In another case, a female juvenile was jointly charged with her mother for unlawfully attempting to cause an abortion. The matter had been before the courts of law since March 2021 and was awaiting committal to the High Court of Zambia. The UP Zambia legal team wrote to the Director for public prosecution (DPP) to consider diversion, an initiative that was developed for the purpose of implementing reforms in the Zambian child justice system in line with International standards. The DPP has since then entered a Nolle Prosecui and the juvenile is now scheduled to go for counselling. 

The continued support the organization recieves from all of you allows us to carry out such work and assists us to preventing some of the adverse effects that these children may experience if left for too long in the system. We are and will forever remain grateful.

Over the last few months, Undikumbukire project Zambia has provided access to legal services through pro-bono counsel for children that have been in contact with the law. Without identifying the children assisted, here is a list of the outcomes so far:

1. Probation and Counseling (9)
2. Bail (12)
3. Acquittal (3)

Some cases that stand out for example are the cases of one particular juvenile who had been in custody for several years at a remand prison and reformatory school. UP Zambia assisted the juvenile to appeal his case at the court of appeals. A few months later the Court of Appeals ruled in favor of his case where it was determined that a 15 year old boy should be given a Counseling Order instead of Reformatory Order. The juvenile was released with an order for counseling and has since been reunited with his family.

In another case, two juveniles were charged with Rioting after proclamation and remained in custody for 6 months, they were released on bail and continued to appear before the Court for over 2 years. The matter kept being adjourned during this period due to lack of witnesses and insufficient evidence to commence trial. The juveniles were finally discharged for lack of witness.