By Dorica Mtenje
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has requested Malawi Police Service to immediately to release anti-President Lazarus Chakwera’s demonstrators leaders.
The arrested grouping leaders including Joshua Chisa Mbele, Levie Luwemba and 31 protestors.
In a statement signed by HRDC Chairperson, Gift Trapence said referring to section 38 of 1994 everyone has a right to peaceful assembly and demonstrations.
Trapence said Chakwera and his machinery should know the right to protest is a basic right that is enshrined in Malawi’s constitution.
He said the arrest of the protestors is illegal as everyone has a right to assembly.
Trapence said Tonse government should not threaten citizens to enjoy and exercise their rights by intimidating them through arrests.
The coalition Leader said that issues raised by the protestors are valid and government should spend it’s energies in addressing them.
He therefore called upon the police to avoid being used as a political tool to silence citizens they needed to protect.
