HRW asks Clinton to urge leaders to address abuse

Human Rights Watch has urged US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is visiting Malawi on Sunday, to promote freedom of expression and association and encourage countries to address police and security force abuses on her tour of Africa.

Clinton, who launched a tour of Africa in Senegal on Wednesday, is also scheduled to visit South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya and South Africa.

“While some of the countries on Secretary Clinton’s agenda engage in serious human rights violations, others have made notable progress in promoting transparency and accountability,” said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch on Wednesday.

Bekele in the statement said Malawi has made notable progress since President Joyce Banda took office in April.

“She has threatened to arrest President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan, who is wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court, if he tries to enter her country. She has suggested that Malawi should repeal laws criminalising homosexuality, and she has worked to promote media freedom.

“Advancing human rights is partly a matter of political will,” Bekele said.

Meanwhile, a statement from the Ministry of Information released Thursday said Clinton will hold bilateral talks with Banda and visit two development projects funded by American aid agencies.