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Child watchdog fears sodomy as Malawi Prisons pack

By Tabitha Mkandawire, Nyasa Times

February 18, 2012   ·   6 Comments

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The Child Rights Information and Documentation Centre (CRIDOC) is concerned that a wide range of heinous abuses and exploitation of the incarcerated minors is inevitable especially Sodomy if the judiciary strike continues.

Malawi’s Judiciary staff have been on strike since the beginning of this year demanding arrears of their approved perks.

“Looking at the unfolding events,…there is increasing likelihood that minors might find themselves in a dire situation where they are being mixed with adults, thereby exposing them to all sorts of abuses and exploitation ranging from health-related rights to sexual abuse,” the organisation’s executive director George Mwika Kayange said.

Kayange said this in a statement made available to the media on Friday.

The organisation has since asked government to apply to the letter the recently enacted law on children, the Child (Care, Protection and Justice) Act 2010, which clearly stipulates that children cannot be detained in Police Stations or with adult offenders but in ‘safety homes’.

Kayange is therefore cautioning the Prison authorities and other relevant stakeholders of a looming national catastrophe if the relevant authorities do not take decisive measures to prevent and mitigate the dreadful situation.

He said the organisation’s fear for the children is based on past experiences regarding juvenile justice system and treatment of children in police cells and prisons in Malawi.

“For instance, it has been discovered in the past that some juveniles had stayed in remand awaiting trial for up to four years without appearing before a magistrate. The children in these prisons were alleged to be abused sexually, physically and emotionally, and were also not given proper health care, causing the spread of infections,” Kayange said.

CRIDOC is a non-profit organisation established to contribute towards the promotion and protection of rights and development of children and young people through information exchange, information documentation and information dissemination

Tags: CRIDOC, George kayange, Judiciary, prisons

6 Responses to “Child watchdog fears sodomy as Malawi Prisons pack”

1. 6

   Kamwendo Sindemisale Says:

   February 18th, 2012 at 5:47 pm

   
   

   Ku Malawi kuno zikudabwitsa kwambiri anthu tomwefe tikuti boma liribe ndalama, kenaka mukuti litionjezere salary? Kodi zithu zakwerera mtengo nthambi imodzi ya boma? Kudzikonda kwachuluka kwambiri, and opposition parties wake up tomorrow will be u tidzaku Like 0 Reply

2. 5

   madrat Says:

   February 18th, 2012 at 5:33 pm

   
   

   Chonena ife tilibe Like 0 Reply

3. 4

   tiwonenso Says:

   February 18th, 2012 at 5:28 pm

   
   

   Parentologist(2), thanks i share your thoughts and concern wholeheartedly. thanks again once again. Like 0 Reply

4. 3

   zunguzungu Says:

   February 18th, 2012 at 11:34 am

   
   

   Its high time govt changes on how they treat the so called Juvenile. Some of the cases that these minors are suffering in prison are worth to do just community work as punishment. Why pack them in prison where there is no space? and govt is losing a lot of money to keep them. Like 3 Reply

5. 2

   Parentologist Says:

   February 18th, 2012 at 10:58 am

   
   

   Malawi should stop this concentration style of camps.what are these bare footed youngmen doing in this big fenced place? Offenders for stealing a chicken in village while politicians are stealing billions in Malawi and nothing is happening.why should justice be only for poor people while the rich are let scot free.its time Malawi govt started thinking for the future of these youngmen than wasting tax payers money locking up these helpless youngmen.Malawi will only develop when we start loving and caring for each other otherwise our lives will not change.is there any hope of kupeza mtsogoleri wamawa in these conditions?cry my beloved country poor Malawi. Well-loved. Like 4 Reply

6. 1

   Juvenile Nakanga Says:

   February 18th, 2012 at 3:47 am

   
   

   Eeee! Zikuchitika koma ndi nthawi yake.thats why I always say we can’t reverse it .Let God be God.taonani anthuwa ena ndi osalakwa apo koma Mulungube amawakonda chimozimozi ndi ife tili kunjafe. Like 0 Reply