MHRC institutes investigations on reports of abuse against Chizuma during her controversial arrest

Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has revealed that it is investigating reports of alleged abuse against Martha Chizuma, director general of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) following her controversial arrest on Tuesday.

There are reports of ill treatment against Chizuma during the time of her during the time of her arrest and that some police officers tried to physically assault her adding that she was forced to kneel down before a police officer.

In a statement seen by this publication, MHRC chairperson Scader Louis said the commission will follow on these related matters to determine if any human rights violations were committed against the graft-bursting body boss.

Louis then described the arrest of Chizuma as ill conceived, ill-timed and conducted in a manner that was not compliant with the principles of human rights.

According to Louis, what happened to Chizuma may dilute the relevance of the Anti-corruption day tomorrow which ACB is leading.

She however, commended the move by President Lazarus Chakwera for ordering the unconditional release of Chizuma and had all the charges against her dropped but at the same cautioning police officers to “adopt human rights compliant measures when dealing with suspects. Every person must be assumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law.”

“Ms. Chizuma was and is expected to be treated with all the human dignity that she deserves, especially considering that we are in the period of commemorating the 16 Days of Activism on Gender Based Violence,” said Louis.

MHRC also commended all those local and international partners, the national assembly and Women Lawyers Association for speaking out against the arrest and standing in solidarity with the Director General of ACB.