Malawi federalism demo ban attacked as ‘censorious’
Malawi human rights groups have condemned government authorities for criminalising peaceful demonstrations, describing the move as worrying, aggressive and censorious.
Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Centre for Development of People (Cedep) have condemned government for its stand in banning pro-federalism demonstrations slated for 28 September, 2014 organised by the Karonga Youth for Justice and Development.
“We have learnt with great shock the government’s decision [through the district commissioner] to “bar” a certain local grouping from holding a peaceful demonstration.
CHRR and CEDEP said they view such a decision as not only retrogressive but also” a complete departure from the democratic path which Malawians chose to pursue since 1993.”
The rights campaigner believes that such decisions are clearly a reminiscent of the old DPP regime which used to derive satisfaction on tramping on the citizens’ freedoms of assembly and expression as evident in the build-up and during the July 20 demonstrations.
CHRR boss Timothy Mtambo and CEDEP head Gift Trapence are asking the ruling DPP to seriously guard against this abuse of human rights.
“The right to hold peaceful demonstration, freedom of assembly and expression are clearly spelt out in both the Republican constitution under the bill of rights chapter 4 as well as in other prominent international human rights instruments which Malawi is party to including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR). As such, it is incumbent upon the government let alone any government official to embrace such fundamental human rights and freedom, and vigilantly work towards the protection and promotion of such,” the rights campaigners said.
The groups believe that determination of the validity of issues or reasons behind one’s proposed demonstration should never be used as a scapegoat to bar the citizens from freely and peacefully exercising such fundamental freedom.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
Amalawi tisayiwale ichi: uyu mayi yemwe ndi DC wa boma la Karonga ndi mmodzi mwa ma DC omwe boma la DPP lidawatsitsa pa maudindo (demotion). Apa akudalira chiletso chomwe anzake ena adakatenga ku bwalo la milandu. Ndiye pothamangira kuletsa ziwonetsero akufuna kuti mwina bwana pulezidenti asinthe maganizo.
Why do u still need us, not allowing people to demonstrate and express their anger?
Mukubokora wana kugomezga vinthu ivyo wanyinu walinavyo.
THE DEMONSTRATION FOR THE DEMAND OF FEDERALISM MUST TAKE PLACE ON 28 SEPTEMBER 2014 WITH/WITHOUT THE GOVERNMENT PERMISSION. WE ARE GOING TO HOLD DEMONSTRATION IN OUR OWN REPUBLIC OF NYIKA NOT IN SOUTHERN REGION WHERE PETER HITLER MUTHARIKA IS FROM. WE’RE SICK AND TIRED OF BEING SLAVES OF THIS MULHAKO MANIACS. PLEASE POST YOUR VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE.COM FOR THE WORLD TO SEE HOW BRUTAL THIS GOVERNMENT IS. THAT IS THE REASON PEOPLE OF NYIKA WANT TO GET OUT FROM THIS UNION. PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO HOLD A PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION BUT THIS FUNDAMENTALIST AND TRIBALIST GOVERNMENT DOMINATED BY MULHAKO MANIACS… Read more »
Emotions at work!
We dont put our trust in CHRR or CEDEP.Ngati amakondadi dzikoli muwafunse za quota system.atumbuka nonse siwolakwa,analakwitsa ndi makolo anu omwe amakonderana pomalembana ntchito.Izi a ma regions ena anazindikira mwacangu.Concho ndikovuta kuti tizakhale ndi president from north.Kukondera inu!!Southerners will never accept that.You are the 1st ones who brought nepotism in Malawi.
Two wrongs don’t make a right!!
Koma penapake zaonjeza….kodi timatcha mpaka liti why don’t we get into sense of humanity and use negociations steps
Ma demo anatha ndi JB.
Awa AKUPHANI
Can the organisers of demos not seek for court’s injunction? Otherwise this is clearly seen that their rights have been infringed
The demos will go on….!!!! You can’t silence the truth! Ndalama mungogawana nokha nokha choncho anthufe ngumafa ndi njala inu nkumapasa ma 24 million, Mulli Brothers pano mwawigayila 1billion! zoona zimenezo?
But this gay Trapence ndi anzake amatinyansa nazo ija ndi kukamwa kwaoko. We know you are poor you just want funding. Why cant you start doing something concrete and respectable. Paja ntchito anakuchotsani mu MRA mutaba ndalama za msonkho..shame.
Koma umakomesedwa ndi Triza Namathanga Senzani ndiMuli. Si choncho?