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RIGHTS VIOLATIONS INCREASE—MHRC

Sad flashback: The report cites the health  crisis as one of human rights abuses
Sad flashback: The report cites the health crisis as one of human rights abuseswaiting

The Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has registered a 47 percent increase in complaints of human rights violations, the majority of which were in relation to the right to fair labour practices.

In its 2013 annual report which the Minister of Justice is expected to table before Parliament at the next meeting, MHRC attributed part of the increase to the improved efficiency within the organisation.

The report, signed by MHRC chairperson Sophie Kalinde, says 2013 was a challenging year in which the commission investigated the scarcity of maize in Admarc depots across the country; the rising cost of living, interferences with the right to freedom of the press and a growing trend of hate speeches during political rallies.

“As a result, the country’s human rights record registered retrogression in the preceding year. This trend highlights that despite some progress that Malawi continues to register, many of the structural flaws in the human rights architecture are still yet to be addressed,” reads the report in part.

It adds: “A total of 516 complaints were registered, signifying a 47 percent increase from the 351 complaints that were registered in 2012. The commission attributes this increase to the re-organisation of the commission from a functional approach to a thematic approach.”

However, in many cases, the commission was not able to conclude the cases satisfactorily because 364 of the 516 cases did not go beyond investigation in 2013.

Of the 516 cases registered in the year, only five were resolved or concluded through investigation or legal action.

The report also noted that 63 percent of the complaints were lodged by men while 50 percent of the cases were submitted by males on behalf of their female counterparts.

This trend bore testimony to the power dynamics that exist between men and women in Malawi society, which put women and girls in a position of dependence on men, the commission observed.

To check whether Malawians were enjoying their economic, social and cultural rights, MHRC monitored the shortage of drugs and supplies in 19 government hospitals which was conclusive; the availability of maize in Admarc depots and it also investigated the government initiated South Korea-Kuwait labour export programme which has since been halted.

Meanwhile, a shadow report of civil society which is expected to be submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Committee in July will advocate for the independence of the MHRC through a different approach to appointment of commissioners to avoid compromising its work.

Currently, it is the State President who appoints MHRC commissioners.

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