Malawi Law Society Backs Police Over HRDC Leaders Arrests

As other stakeholders are condemning the police for arresting members of Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), Malawi Law Society has defended the action by the police saying the arrests are in line with law.

President for Malawi Law Society Burton Mhango said planning to commit a crime is a crime, therefore HRDC was planning to commit a crime by sealing the State House premises which are protected areas hence being a crime.

Reverend Mac Donald Sembereka and Gift Trapence were arrested following the press briefing the coalition held announcing plans of shutting down State House premises with an aim of forcing president Peter Mutharika to assent electoral bills.

In his remarks Mhango said the fact that they are human rights activists they are not guaranteed to take the laws in their hands “They need to act according the law”

According to the Constitution, the president is given 21 days to sign the bills into law, Activists such as HRDC and some concerned parties felt that Mutharika might shun the activity hence a need to force him into signing the bills.