MHRC, UNDP sign pact to promote human rights
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) on Wednesday signed a joint action plan to promote human rights in the country.
According to the agreement, the annual action plan will see the taxpayer-funded human rights watchdog and various UN agencies work on a budget of $1 058 998 (about K500 million) for human rights activities in 2015.
Speaking in Lilongwe after the signing ceremony, MHRC chairperson Sophie Kalinde said the action plan will bring coordination and harmonisation of efforts by the two institutions in the fight for greater human rights adherence.
She said: “MHRC appreciates this collaboration and it is clear that the MHRC will achieve more results with joint support from the UN agencies. It has already been demonstrated during the planning where there was highest cooperation and collaboration in coming up with the outputs and activities.”
On the release of funds, Kalinde said the commission will have to pull up its socks to ensure that all the planned activities are implemented within the year and guard against mismanagement of funds.
UNDP resident coordinator Mia Seppo signed the agreement on behalf of the UN agencies alongside Kalinde following a memorandum of understanding the two parties earlier signed on the matter.
