New MHRC commissioner Chikondi Chijozi sworn in: Chakwera says ‘lets build new Malawi free of  human rights abuses’

April 7, 2021 Wongani Chiuta - Nyasa Times 13 Comments

President Lazarus Chakwera has urged commissioners of the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) to take on the work of championing human rights by ensuring that  they also practice human rights to match their language at the taxpayer funded human rights watchdog.

President Chakwera: human  rights must be fought for, not just promoted.
Chikondi Chijozi being sworn-in by MHRC executive secretary Habiba Osman
President Chakwera with commissioner Chikondi Chijozi
President Chakwera with the seventh Cohort of Commissioners for the Malawi Human Rights Commission

Chakwera said this when he swore in lawyer Chikondi Chijozi  to join the seventh cohort of commissioners, filling the vacany following the death of ist chairperson Reverend Patrick Semphere.

“I can think of nothing more tragic than the idea of  a Human Rights Commissioner who routinely violates the  rights of his or her workers at home, or the rights of his or  her subordinates and colleagues at work, or the rights of his  or her vendors in the market, or the rights of his or her own  children, or the rights of his or her fellow-citizens in the  public square. Human rights must be practiced, not just  preached,” said Chakwera in his speech

The President said  human  rights must be fought for, not just promoted.

“ It is naïve to  ever assume in this world that everyone wants human rights  to thrive. That is simply not so. Both history and personal  experience teach us that the curve of human nature bends  towards self-interest from birth, which is counter to the  selflessness that the advancement of human rights  demands.

“As such, our approach to the consolidation of  human rights must account for those who will naturally  work at cross-purposes to human rights in their quest for  selfish interests,” he said.

Chakwera advised the commissioners that their approach must also account for “those who  may very well militantly seek to abuse the rights of others as  a result of having an evil nature that takes pleasure in doing  harm to others. “

He observed that advancing human rights is  no walk in the park and must not be taken on by the timid  and cowardly.

“The forces you have to fight off to protect  human rights are formidable, often armed by vast and  powerful networks with deep pockets. In the face of such  forces, it is not enough to merely defend human rights, for  that entails waiting for human rights to be attacked. I am  saying that you must take the fight to them whatever it may  cost you,” he said.

President Chakwera in congratulating  Commissioner Chijozi, said she is in good  company with the other Commissioners, including “human  rights warriors” like the Law Commissioner and the  Ombudsman, “who are beacons of light in our nation.”

Chakwera pledged his government’s commitment to help MHRC to mainian its good repurtation on the international stage, calling on commissioner  to  be part if building “a new Malawi free of  human rights abuses.”

According to Section 130 of the Constitution, MHRC has powers of investigation and recommendation as are reasonably necessary for the effective promotion of human rights.

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13 replies on “New MHRC commissioner Chikondi Chijozi sworn in: Chakwera says ‘lets build new Malawi free of  human rights abuses’”

  2. Need massive reform of the criminal and corrupt police force if we’re going to start on human rights.

  3. Those are good words you have spoken Mr. President. What about Malawian police regardless to the change of administration are continuing to violent the rights of others? For e.g….a nyasatimes journalist was detained for reporting your flip flopping regarding the shuffling of your cabinet. These kind of intimidation of the citizens are human rights violation. On the ground it doesn’t match what you’re telling us. I think your administration is the biggest human rights violator. You need to read online news to know what is going on with your police officers who are continuing to violate Malawians’ rights. Today you’re talking about human rights while tomorrow your police officers are detaining innocent citizens. Does it make any sense?

  4. Congratulations are in order. Can you initiate the process of investigating how Zangazanga Chikhosi is recruiting people in the civil service. He is denying well deserving people from getting top positions through a competitive process of interview. He employed a mere MCE holder Bendulo as director a position that requires one with a masters degree

  6. Za zii! You came to power through violent demonstrations that affected the rights of business people and other non political people. Today you keep on harrassing anyone with dissenting views. Shame on you kwantere and your bunch of habiba osmans who play to your tune.

    2. The man you are despising is staying at State house whilst me and you are busy talking loud nonsense because the colour of our blood is blue and cannot believe that the price of samosas has reverted back to its original price of K100 and not K35000 which we were supplying. We should be shamed for supporting an evil and corrupt regime.
      Let’s pray for Chakwera to transform our beautiful country for the better of our children.

    3. Mmmm nkhani yake iti. The problem is that no matter how much you hate him your party shall never run government again. Nde bola mungochira otherwise kuli matenda like hypertension akuphani

      1. Anzanunso ankatero kuti MCP sidzalamuliranso. Ife tikungopempha kuti muzipanga zokomera a Malawi, otherwise mmalawi ali ndi maso

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