MHRRC urges police to respect human rights

Malawi Human Rights and Resource Centre (MHRRC) has urged Malawi Police Service (MPS) officers to respect rights of individuals if they are to win back the confidence of Malawians.

Speaking on Monday during the opening of a three-day training of trainers workshop on policing and human rights at the police headquarters in Lilongwe, MHRRC executive director Desmond Kaunda said officers who do not respect human rights dent the image of the service.

“We have deliberately organised this training because we want to equip officers with the relevant skills so that they can approach their job with a democratic mind which gives priority to rights of individuals,” said Kaunda.

He said some officers use excessive force and end up killing innocent individuals and sometimes they only arrest women when they are conducting rogue and vagabond exercise, hence, giving the MPS a bad image.

Commissioner of police responsible for inspections and performance management Martha Suwedi challenged her charges to take the course seriously, advising them that in a democracy the Police must always respect rights of individuals.

A total of 32 officers are attended the training.