LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Leadership Institute for Transparency and Accountability (LITA) is calling immediate release of Human Rights Defender and leader of Malawi First, Bon Kalindo.
The institute demands unconditional release of the activist Kalindo arguing that his arrest is political and vague.
Kalindo was arrested on Wednesday, morning August 30, 2023 in the capital Lilongwe for defying court bail conditions when he planned to hold demonstrations.
In a press statement made available to The Maravi Post on Wednesday afternoon signed by LITA Executive Director Goodwell Logeya observes that the arrest is meant to instil fears among the general public against bad leadership.
“Every Malawian would not hesitate to believe that this is a deliberate plot by the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) administration to frustrate the 30th August 2023 peaceful demonstrations after the organizers of the public protests against the Chakweras maladministration successfully lifted the court injunction.
“Failure to release the activist will call for all Malawians from all the corners of the country to take unspecified action,” says Logeya.
He added, “Malawi is for Malawians and does not belong to a single grouping or political party. It is not a privilege to take part or organize peaceful demonstrations in the country, rather it is a birthright of every bonafide citizen of this country.
“Therefore, arbitrary arrests orchestrated by political motives from failed politicians must stop. We, as civil society organizations, will always support open civic space in the country and encourage Malawians to exercise their rights and freedom of assembly, association and expression without fear”.
Logeya appeals, “We, therefore, appeal to the State President not to entertain his zealous minions who want to exercise unconstitutional powers by intimidating, abducting and silencing activists and critics in the country in order to shrink the civic space, as these actions are exacerbating the already inflated anger of the impatient Malawians who are fed up with this clueless administration”.
Malawi Police justified Kalindo arrest arguing that he violated bail conditions for the past crimes cases committed.
