Malawi justice ministry launches human rights section
Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Friday launched a Human rights section, addition to the Ministry’s sections.
Speaking at the launching ceremony in Lilongwe at Golden Peacock Hotel, Solicitor General and Secretary of Justice, Dr. Janet Banda SC stated that the launch should have done a long time ago due to its importance.
She said, “The launch is very important since it will assist in various ways such as coordinating human rights bodies, coordinating the Action Plan which is yet to be launched.”
Banda explained that the Ministry hopes the section will be considered at parliament to have an independent budget plan.
Chief State Advocate, Pacharo Kayira stated that the launch of the human right section is for it to act as a watchdog to institutions that implement the law on matters that concern human rights.
“The section is to make complimentary role to institutions that implement issues to do with human rights.” he said.
The Ministry of Justice being the policy holder on issues of human rights and democratic governance, is working across all departments as well as with various key players such as Civil Society Organizations.
The Human Rights Section started as a human rights desk in 2010 and graduated to Unit in 2012.
In 2016 it was formally established as a Section and now officially launched.
The Section’s task is implemented through the National Task Team.