HREP Demands MCP, Kabwira Apology Over HIV Discriminatory Remarks

Maziko Matemba wants
MCP& Kabwira to
apologise

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Spokesperson Dr. Jessie Kabwila is under fire following her recent remarks likening ‘People Living With HIV and Aids (PLWAs)’ to corpses.

When commenting on corruption matters Kabwila told MIJ FM on Anti-Corruption day that “Pamalawi pano anthu afika pobera maliro, poyamba timangokamba za cashgate za achina Lutepo ndi Mphwiyo. Koma lero anthu akumatenga ndalama zogulira ma ARV’s, zimenezi zikutanthauzanji? Sikubera maliro kumeneku?” (Now people in Malawi have gone to the extent of stealing from corpses, we have been talking of cashgate which was being masterminded by Lutepo and Mphwiyo. Today people are siphoning money meant to buy ARVs, what does this mean? Isn’t this stealing from corpses?)

Reacting to this, Health and Rights and Education Programme (HREP) a Non-Governmental Organization involved in advocacy and promoting for health rights of people of Malawi on HIV/AIDS says Kabwila must apologize to the nation and explain reasons why she likened the people living with HIV to corpses.

Her remarks might 
shun away people 
from taking ARVs

The Executive Director for HREP Maziko Matemba told journalist in Lilongwe on Monday that his organization views such sentiments as stigma of highest order and disturbing remarks from a spokesperson of the main opposition party.

He said such remarks might shun away people from taking ARVs thinking that their life is coming to a dead end.

“While government and other stake holders are scaling up activities and initiatives addressing stigma and discrimination HREP is deeply saddened to hear MCP spokesperson through a radio interview likening PLWAs to corpses. We are shocked with such kind of sentiments especially when we Malawi as a nation and the world as a whole are struggling to contain HIV and Aids.” Said Matemba

He pointed out that as such remarks came from a spokesperson of the main opposition begs a question as whether PLWAs have space in MCP, “Unless otherwise stated we are persuaded to believe that the views expressed by Hon Kabwila reflect the views of the party since she is the party spokesperson”

MCP leadership must apologise

In the light of this, HREP is demanding Malawi Congress Party President and its leadership to tell the nation whether Hon Kabwila remarks represents official position of the party. If yes the party should justify such stand but if no then the party should publicly condemn the remarks and subsequently expel her from the party.

The organisation also demands MCP to apologise on behalf of its spokesperson, in the same vein Hon Kabwila Member of Parliament for Salima North West Constituency and “an accomplished academician” should say whether her sentiments truly represent the views and aspirations of the constituency that voted for her.

Furthermore the demands include a message of appeal to all political parties’ leaders and Civil Society Organisations to desist from politicizing the National HIV and Aids response.

In an event where neither MCP nor Kabwila responds to these demands Matemba says Malawians will be the best judges.

Studies conducted so far singles out stigma and discrimination as a major challenge hampering the fight against HIV/AIDS in Malawi and various organizations involved in HIV response are making huge investments to stop stigma and discrimination.