Criticising government is not a crime – Chihana
Alliance for Democracy (Aford) president Enoch Chihana has said government should not to treat criticism against them as a crime.
Chihana said he will move a private members motion in parliament to protect citizens from exercising their rights of freedom of speech.
He decried the harassment and torture of opposition members and critics of the Peter Mutharika administration
“We have the right to criticize government without fear,” he said on Sunday at a rally in Blantyre.
He said Malawi needs legislation to protect the public’s right to free speech and a free media.
Chihana said the suppression of the free speech cannot be tolerated.
The Aford sole lawmaker said he will push to outlaw the archaic laws that criminalise ‘Insulting the President.’
The outmoded pieces of legislation enacted during the colonial era to suppress dissent and promote colonial superiority include a law of insulting the president based on the Protected Names, Flag and Emblems Act.
He said in any democracy, free speech is paramount and affords the citizenry, a chance to debate and shape public opinion.
Chihana said he will push to repeal and review of laws that restrict free speech, such as Criminal Defamation and the Protected Flags, Emblems and Names Act.
Archaic laws, said Chihana, have no role to play in a democracy.
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Its a nice piece, am also a journalist working in Tanzania but i feel your articles lack very crucial information, i mean background to readers who do not know for example Malawi. In this piece for example would anyone know 1. from which constituency is China, 2. Who is he , i mean whether he is related to Chakufwa Chihana coz to me that would be interesting too 3. Why did he utter such a statement, did it arose after seeing pple being harrased, or is there a recent incident where a citizen was harrased simply by critising the govt,?… Read more »
Kachipani kawanthu awiri bambo ndi mkazake koma ziliko. Komanso kamkaziko kakuyangana ngati mtayifa
When i win the general election in 2019 i will snatch chihana’s wife….ndikabooooo.hot,juicy,sexy wife.Bride price k 24 billion cashgate money from OPC.