The Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), and Centre for Development of the People (Cedep) have observed that Malawi is still faced with challenges in the area of human rights, good governance and rule of law.
The two organisations in a statement on President Joyce Banda’s State of the Nation address from a human rights perspective, observe with concern the prevailing homophobic attitudes among faith-based and traditional community against sexual minorities.
They argue that the development poses a serious threat towards the realisation of equality and co-existence.
Presidential press secretary could not immediately comment on the statement.
Reacting to the President’s stand on sexual minorities, CHRR, and Cedep note that despite calling for a sober public debate on the matter a few days when the President ascended to power, the government has taken a mute on the matter rendering her earlier stance a mere rhetoric.
In another development, CHRR and Cedep have applauded government for the commitment towards ensuring a democratic process and free tripartite elections in 2014 as well as respect for press freedom.
“The media occupies a central role in as far as ensuring free and fair elections but to our dismay the State media continues to be skewed towards the ruling party despite a plethora of recent credible criticisms,” reads the statement.
