Passiveness fuels human rights abuses—MHRC

The Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has observed that passiveness on reporting human rights abuses is contributing to more human rights abuses, besides putting people at risk of more abuse.

MHRC revealed this on Monday morning during the human rights-based approaches to HIV and Aids at workplace discussion with officials from district councils in the Southern Region conducted at Hotel Victoria in Blantyre.

Speaking during his presentation, MHRC’s gender and women rights officer Victor Khwima said Malawians are well informed on human rights, but people are passive in reporting them.

“There are many cases of human rights abuses in the community and people know them. They also know that they can report and be compensated, but they don’t do it,” said Khwima.

He said it is for this reason that his office, with funding from the National Aids Commission (NAC), is holding meetings with, officials from district councils to influence people in the community and at workplaces to report about human rights abuses more, especially those linked to HIV and Aids.

In his opening speech, MHRC commissioner the Reverend Zacc Kawalala said he expects participants to integrate human rights perspectives into HIV and Aids programmes at their workplaces and community level.

“We want you to help in reducing cases of stigma and discrimination which are now rampant in our communities and we expect to appreciate results from you,” said Kawalala.

MHRC’s HIV and Aids programme officer Frank Chisambula said his office has noted increased stigma and discrimination among people living with the virus.

He, however,was optimistic that the meetings will help improve the situation.