CHRR, Cedep applaud Malawi govt for acceptance to attend African Commission on Human Rights Session
Centre for Human Rights and
Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Centre for Development of People (Cedep), has
welcomed decision by Malawi government to appear before the 56th session of
African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights.
The decision to attend African commission Session, Malawi will make another
milestone in promotion of Hunan Rights issues following a positive background
of Malawi’s similar maiden historical appearance at the 111th
session of United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva recently.
According to a Press Statement dated 12th
November 2014 co-signed by Executive Directors Timothy Mtambo and Gift Trapence
for CHRR and Cedep respectively says by resolving to appear before the 56th
Session of African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights the Malawi government
has not only demonstrated its willingness towards adherence to her international
obligations but also commitment towards the promotion and protection of human
rights for all.
It is an obligation of State parties to
the African Charter on human and peoples’ rights to submit reports every two
years updating the commission on their promotion and protection mandate of
human and peoples' rights in their respective countries. But according to CHHR
and Cedep statement “Malawi submitted its maiden report in 2012 after 25 years
of non-compliance to her obligations to the commission.”
“In the absence of such state party
reports, Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation since 1998 [when it
acquired the observer status to the African Commission on Human and Peoples
Rights] had been presenting and submitting human rights brief reports to the
African Commission highlighting the progress, challenges and recommendations to
the Malawi government on issues of human rights and good governance.”
The statement further states “The Civil
Society, through Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Centre
for Development of People (Cedep), also submitted their shadow report in 2012,
concurrently with Malawi government, which included a number of recommendations
of the human rights situation in the country”
Among the recommendations the statement
included;
1.
The
state party to take steps and measures to comply with the Francis Kafantayen vs. The Attorney General decisions by ensuring
that all murder convicts are re-sentenced as a matter of urgency
2.
The
state Party to ensure that Dr. Kalonga Stambuli Commission of Inquiry Report is
released and action should be taken against any person or persons who played a
hand in his death
3.
The
State Party to allocate a minimum of 15% of its national budget towards health
in line with the Abuja Declaration
4.
The
State Party as a matter of urgency compensate victims of 2O July
demonstrations, investigate and prosecute the perpetrators
5.
The
State Party as a matter of urgency to bring to justice those responsible for
the brutal murder of a Polytechnic student activist Robert Chasowa and
compensate late Robert Chasowa’s family
6.
The
State Party to safeguard the independence of the Judiciary and desist from
making bad comments in public against judicial officers and also ensure that
judicial officers are properly remunerated and protected
The forthcoming session of the African commission in Gambia will hence provide
the platform for Malawi government to give the status quo of protection and
promotion of human rights in the country, the progress on implementation of the
African Charter on Human and Peoples rights, and also update the commission on
the progress made in the implementation of the recommendations made in the 2012
civil society shadow report.
The 56th Session will commence
from the 1st December to 17th December 2014 in Banjul
Gambia where Malawi government’s initial report is due for review on 7th,
8th and 9th December 2014.
