Report rights violations—HRCC

Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) has urged people in the country to develop a culture of reporting human rights violations once they occur.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe on Friday, HRCC acting board chairperson Margaret Ali saidreporting rights violations will spur authorities to act quickly and put measures to guard against any injustices.

Said Ali: “It is unfortunate that most people in the country aren’t aware of their rights. For instance, a huge percentage of rural Malawians don’t realise that marrying off children below the age of 15 is a violation of child rights.”

In his remarks, HRCC programmes manager Steve Chibophe said the commission has since embarked on a K22 million project being implemented in several districts across the country to raise people’s awareness on their rights.

He said people need to know the Constitution, noting that most people, including the elite, do not realise that the document is full of rights.

“We are working with civil society organisations [CSOs] and community-based organisations [CBOs] in rural areas, documenting violations,” he said.

According to Chibophe, HRCC is implementing the Hivos-funded project in Mwanza, Dedza, Chikhwawa, Ntchisi, Machinga, Nkhata Bay and Rumphi districts.