HRDC to Engage International Bodies

Organizers of Anti-Ansah demonstrations the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) they will report the government to international bodies for failing to protect and up-heed to the demands of its citizens.

this has been said by HRDC chairperson Timothy Mtambo who said government has failed to protect, respect and uphold people’s constitutional right to be precise right to assemble and demonstrate peacefully.

According Mtambo, the leadership of President Peter Mutharika is operating outside the United Nations (UN) International Covenant on Civil and Political rights and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights to which Malawi is a signatory.

Mtambo’s reaction is a direct response from Mutharika’s speech which ordered the Malawi police to use any ‘necessary force’ to halt the protesters and that the police was working on introducing shoot-to-kill policy against the demonstrators as well as the Information minister’s press statement which gave orders to district councils not to grant permission to the protesters.

Writing on Facebook page Mtambo said they will not let anyone to take away the country’s hard earn democracy and freedom arguing that everyone is under the constitution of Malawi.

“We say no to impunity. Police and Military were established for us and not against us. As a people we will not watch anyone abuse our security agencies to stifle our rights. No one us above the law. We are all under the constitution of Malawi,” writes Mtambo.

HRDC has therefore opted to take the matter to international bodies.

“We will report them to to the UN and African Commission,” said Mtambo.

Responding to Mtambo’s comments Minister of Information Mark Botomani challenged HRDC to proceed with the decision, saying they are not against the demonstrations but the violent acts that occur during the protests.