Free Expression Institute to honour individuals on Malawi’s ‘protestors day’ July 20
Free Expression Institute (FEI) a local independent civil society organization in the country will on July 20 this year honor and recognize individuals and organizations who have played an important role in the area of promotion and enhancement of freedom of expression in Malawi.
FEI Chairperson Martins Naminga told journalists in the capital Lilongwe on Thursday that Malawians through their different work have made tremendous contributions towards the realization of the right to freedom of expression in the country.
The July 20, 2011 national demonstration was among the platforms where Malawians freely expressed their right to freedom but sadly ended up with at least 20 people dead.
“It is our wish to pay homage to those who lost their lives, property and injured while pursuing their right to freedom of expression,” he said.
Five categories of awards will be given out on the day for significant contribution towards the realization of freedom of expression in Malawi.
The categories include Best Young persons, Best Malawian Blogger, Visual Impair and those to be given to the individual and organization for making a difference.
“Each award will be named after an individual who has made outstanding contribution towards realization of free speech in Malawi,” he said.
Naminga added that a poetry competition for school going children and the visual impaired has been organised towards the end of the event.
To the young people, he observed, the awards will be given out to inculcate in them the need to be constantly aware of the right to freedom of expression and always safeguard it.
