CSOs Angered By Pres. Mutharika Defensive Remarks at Children Christmas Party

CSOs Angered By Pres. Mutharika Defensive Remarks at Children Christmas Party

The five Civil Society Organissations (CSOs) Manet+Manelera+ MEHEN, CEDEP and CHRR are not at ease with President Professor Peter Mutharika’s recent remarks that rebuke his critics who may attempt to probe where he outsourced money used for hosting First Couples Christmas party with children from around Lilongwe on Wednesday 17^th December 2014 at Kamuzu Palace.

In a quest to inform the nation that he hosted the children Christmas party using his own together with first lady and well wishers money, President Peter Mutharika is on record cautioning any attempt to find fault from the party particularly probe where the money was sourced and make some protests out of it.

CSOs view this as direct attack to human rights activists that have vehemently vow to go on with plans for national demonstrations demanding (organizations not strategically placed in national HIV and AIDS response) First Lady’s initiative Beautify Malawi Trust (BEAM) and his tribe grouping Mulhako Wa Alhomwe to repay back the national HIV and AIDS response funds they access through dubious means from National Aids Commission (NAC).

In their statement confirming steady to go on with January 13^th 2015 demonstrations presented to the media over the weekend, CSOs have questioned motive of President Peter Mutharika’s defensive remarks on accountability of his money used for hosting the party and any attempt to make demonstrations.

In the manner the president presented the caution, CSOs suspect that the president had a hand in the recent NAC incident. CSOs are also accusing President Mutharika’s silence and failure to condemn the incident or calling for a swift investigations, “For no doubt the President’s “silence” on the matter is making a lot of noise, and to a greater extent his silence may be implied as consent to the malpractice.” Said Timoty Mtambo CHRR executive director who was together with Gift Trapence Executve director for Cedep, representing other three CSOs

 “Why is it that the DPP’s regime seemed to be more concerned or angry with the saga than even the implicated BEAM Trust and Mulhakho Wa Alhomwe?” asked Mtambo

“Why the panic? Is there something the DPP’ regime is hiding to the country on its possible role in NACGATE? If the whole of the President can stand up and say “I don’t want mawa somebody nkumati fwee fwee fwee ndipanga demonstrations and so forth there is no government money here involved”, in front of children,” Mtambo said adding that even such words were not palatable for the children at the event

“For any possible intentions by his critics to poke their nose into the source of funds for the children’s party in a context or a background of NACGATE and that the only demonstrations being talked about which are as a result of misuse of public funds are the ones related to NACGATE, then we should all be suspicious and question why the President is uttering such and his possible link to NACGATE saga? Why the guilt and anger?” said CHRR executive director

Taking his turn Cedep executive director Gift Trapence also expressed CSOs dismay on “worrisome” arguments being advanced by some executive board members of BEAM Trust who in support of NAC gesture in releasing funds to Beatify Malawi Trust (BEAM) and their position that BEAM cannot return the money are also contradicting with clarification made by NAC.

Trapence also query Mr. Maxwell Matewere a Vice Chairperson of CONGOMA and board member of First Lady Gertrude Mutharika’s BEAM Trust, if his arguments supporting NAC gesture and calling nationwide demonstrations ‘a rushed one’ were spoken on behalf of CONGOMA as a result of consultative process with members or a board member of BEAM.

Similarly, the statement by CSOs, also accuse Malawi Interfaith and Aids Alliance (MIAA) Robert Ngaiyaye for making a sweeping argument for reasons not known.

It further accuses Mr. Mavuto Bamusi (President Peter Mutharika’s Advisor on NGOs and board member of First Lady’s BEAM Trust) for alleging that CSOs are jealousy of BEAM trust and are politically motivated therefore BEAM cannot refund the money, and the CSOs should go ahead with the planned demonstrations. CSOs statement maintains that Mr. Bamusi was supposed to advise the President on the negative implications of using HIV and AIDS funds for unrelated activities.

Anti-NAC Gate Demonstrations Ready-CSO’s

'if restitution is made within the period, demonstrations will be called off' Anti-NAC Gate CSO’s

Five Civil Society Organisations demanding First Lady’s BEAM Trust and Mulhakho Wa Lhomwe to refund National Aids Commission (NAC) funds says their planned national wide demonstrations are ready on 13 January 2015, but can call them off once the involved institutions return the money before actual day of demonstrations.

BEAM Trust and Mulhakho Wa Lhomwe whose work is not directly involved in fight against HIV and AIDS are reported to have accessed NAC funds up to MK5 Million and MK9.4 Million respectively through dubious means.

However NAC maintains stand that it did not grant any money to Beautify Malawi but rather participated in the Beautify Malawi launch activities through buying dinner tables for stakeholders and advertising during the launch. And as a cultural grouping, Muhlakho wa Ahlomwe was supported through high level advocacy activities for HIV and AIDS issues.

It also set record straight that “the existing sub granting procedures provide for multiple channels of financing that include both solicited grant recipient organizations as well as demand driven applications.”

Board members for BEAM Trust have also accused CSOs for making demands on the matter out of jealousy.

But Manet+, Manelera+, Malawi Health Equity Network (MEHN), Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR0 and Centre for Development of People (CEDEP) in a statement released on Friday confirm that the day to hold demonstration is set and preparations are underway.

The joint letter bearing signatures of executive directors Safari Mbewe (MANET+), Martha Kwataine (MHEN), MacDonald Sembereka (MANERELA+), Gift Trapence (CEDEP) and Timothy Mtambo (CHRR) gives condition that if these institutions repay the money within the period, demonstrations will be called off because intention is not to do the demonstrations but making sure that the funds are paid back to NAC.

CSOs insist that “government and its agents” used their power to influence NAC to release the money while holding its dagger. They also believe that NAC clarification on this abuse of funds is a “big joke” but an attempt to shield the involved institutions from the scandal “NAC statement did not manage to address any of our concerns, if truth be told” maintains CSOs in the statement

“It is in light of the foregoing that the CSOs under the anti Nac-gate banner have stuck to our plans to stage nationwide protests on 13the January, 2014. The CSOs are more determined than ever to offer the public the platform to exercise their freedom of assembly and expression in demanding the two institutions in question to refund the NAC money, and also call for the current regime address the prevailing economic and political woes which are inhibiting Malawians from fully enjoying their human rights” reads the statement

Timothy Mtambo (CHRR0 and Gift Trapence (Cedep) told journalists in Lilongwe Friday evening that their petition is being worked on and it sets time frame of every demand and vows not to rest until restitution in full amount of the money is made.

Timothy Mtambo: We are making progress 

CHRR executive Director Timothy Mtambo said the demonstrations progress are making strides and come that day people will hold demonstrations in exercising their rights.

Gift Trapence: We will use other avenues if
our petition demands are not ment

Cedep Executive Director said “We have started the announcements, we just want to remind Malawians that this is a national demonstrations but as well that will have subsequent announcements of designated routs and districts where demonstrations will be.”

“We have a petition that we have written that we want to submit to government to make sure that they are able to comply to the demands of that petition.” He said

He made it clear that if it happens that government fail to comply to the demands by not forcing its agents (BEAM and Mulhako) to repay the money, CSOs will use other avenues “One is to do more demonstrations, but as well we will also use courts to make sure that these institutions have paid back the money.”

He noted that though court staff are on strike but once are open CSOs will “mobilize Malawians” to sue such institutions as well as NAC Board for flouting procedure of accessing NAC funds, “Even if at our local level in terms of courts system we are not helped we have so many international instruments that we can use to force these institutions to pay back the money.”

At first CSOs issued a seven day line for NIB, BEAM and Mlhakho wa Alhomwe  to repay back the money which they did not honor and upon expiry the CSOs announced January 13^th 2015 as a day to hold peaceful demonstrations. In light of these CSOs says they have still given the said institutions “so many days” to repay the money. 

CHRR, CEDEP Order DPP Regime To Stop Political Terror

Trapence  Left and Mtambo Right

Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Centre for Development of People (Cedep) have warned Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) regime to stop what the two human rights bodies called ‘act of political terror’ reported recently in the media.

Recent media reports have indicated that DPP members have assaulted an innocent citizen in Mzuzu; attempted to disrupt Peoples Party (PP) political rally in Chitipa and damaging business property of citizens perceived to be supporters of opposition political parties in Limbe, Blantyre.

CHRR, Cedep applaud Malawi govt for acceptance to attend African Commission on Human Rights Session

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 111^th session of United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva recently.

According to a Press Statement dated 12^th November 2014 co-signed by Executive Directors Timothy Mtambo and Gift Trapence for CHRR and Cedep respectively says by resolving to appear before the 56^th 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 56^th Session will commence from the 1^st December to 17^th December 2014 in Banjul Gambia where Malawi government’s initial report is due for review on 7^th, 8^th and 9^th December 2014.

Mutharika Names New Board of Directors for 25 Statutory Corporations:Meet the List of the Appointees

Mutharika Names New Board of Directors for 25 Statutory Corporations: Meet the List of the Appointees

The President of the Republic of Malawi, His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, has appointed new Boards of Directors of Statutory Corporations following the expiry of the mandates of previous appointees.

Mutharika made the appointments with immediate effect

Pro-Federalism Demonstrations Ban In Karonga Against Fundamental Human Rights- CHRR, Cedep

Mtambo (far left) and Trapence (Far right)

Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Centre for Development of People (Cedep) have jointly issued statement expressing shock on what they call "The government’s decision through the district commissioner to bar" a grouping called Karonga Youth for Justice and Development from holding a demonstration in favour of Federalism

The grouping is said to have been stopped from holding Pro-Federalism demonstrations after it submitted a notification letter to the district commissioner of their planned demonstrations scheduled for 28th September 2014