APM, opposition in war of words on human rights

Malawi President Peter Mutharika has told the opposition and civil rights organisations in the country to stop blaming the government on everything.

Mutharika said this Thursday Mutharika at Masintha ground in Lilongwe during the commemoration of the International Human Rights day held under the theme “Our rights, Our freedom, Always.”

“We escape our duties by blaming the government on everything,” said Mutharika.

“Our duty is service to others,” he said indirectly attacking the opposition and civil society organisations who have been asking the government to improve the appalling right to economic, social and cultural as evidenced by the falling public health service and the skyrocketing cost of life among ordinary Malawians, among others.

The President lamented that it is the responsibility of everyone to think of the duties and obligation that come along with these universal rights.

“No country can develop by thinking of rights without our sense of duty and responsibility. Malawi cannot progress if we think of our rights and freedoms more than our duties and responsibilities,” Mutharika explained.

He assured of supporting the fight and promotion of human rights, by among other things, passing legislations that are in support of the human rights principles

But Leader of opposition in parliament Lazarus Chakwera said it was the government that was playing blame game.

In an interview, Chakwera, who is also Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president said the opposition point out to governance and human rights shortfalls because, he said, collectively Malawians hold the future of Malawi.

“Collectively, we must take responsibility as we chat our future…we need to fix our problems together,” he said.

Chakwera said Malawi cannot commemorate the International Human Rights Day in the absence of Access to Information bill, when there is little accountability in government and people are condemned when their exercise their right to know on what is happening in the executive arm of government.

The chairman of the Malawi Human Rights Commission Justin Dzonzi, speaking at the commemoration function in the presence of the President, said the government should remove all delays surrounding the passing into law of the Access to Information bill.

President Mutharika did not directly respond to this but hinted Malawians have a right to political, economic and social lives.

Marchel Gerrmann, Ambassador and Head of European Union delegation said the European community is proud to be a leading voice on human rights issues.

Gerrmann assured of the organisation’s commitment in promoting and protecting human rights, democracy and rule of law.

“The EU believes that sustainable peace development and prosperity cannot exist without respect for human rights. Protecting rights and freedoms is therefore at the heart of all our interventions and projects around the world,” he explained.

The international Human rights day was adopted in 1948 when all countries around the world adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To reflect on the progress made, it was agreed that the day be celebrated every December 10 of each year.—Additional reporting by Solister Mogha, Mana

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