Chakwera appoints new MHRC commissioners
President Lazarus Chakwera has appointed members of the eighth cohort of the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC), six months after the tenure of the previous cohort expired.
A statement issued yesterday signed by MHRC executive secretary Habiba Osman indicates that the new commissioners will serve for three years, effective August 26 2023.
The statement further assures that notice of the appointment shall be gazetted.
The new commissioners are Viwemi Chavula, who is also executive director for Centre for Civil Society Strengthening, veteran journalist and immediate-past Media Institute of Southern Africa-Malawi chairperson Teresa Ndaga, Malawi Network of Older Persons Organisation director Andrew Javala. University of Malawi deputy vice-chancellor Sunduzwayo Madise, disability rights activist Scader Louis and human rights lawyer Chikondi Chijozi have been retained from the previous MHRC cohort.
The commission also has the Law Commissioner and the Ombudsman as members.
In an interview, Ndanga said she will utilise her experience in ensuring that citizens enjoy their constitutionally-guaranteed freedoms.
She said: “I am humbled by the appointment. This is a great platform to contribute to the protection of human rights.
“Coming from the media sector, I hope I can continue to utilise my experience in ensuring that citizens enjoy their constitutionally-guaranteed freedoms such as that of expression and access to information.”
The President appoints the commissioners under Section 131 of the Constitution and the Human Rights Commission Act that prescribe that the process shall be jointly initiated by the Law Commissioner and the Ombudsman, who recommend names to him for appointment.
