By Tionge Hara
MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-The Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and the Youth and Society (YAS) have written the presidential candidates contesting for the fourth presidential elections some key issues to be considered in their campaign rallies.
The executive director for YAS Charles kajoloweka cited the killing of innocent people with albinism,petrol bombing of the Tambala family, the killings of Robert Chasowa, Njaunju as key issues they want these candidates to acknowledge them during campaigns or after being voted into power so that Malawian’s should be aware of What they will do concerning these issues.
“What will these candidates do to stop the killing of innocent people with albinism if voted into power? Will they be able to guarantee safety for these persons.
“Since the past year almost 25 people with albinism were killed, and when one suspect was brought to court he ended up dying in police custody,” Buleya Lure who was tortured to death using the electric wire just after appearing from the court on 21st September 2019. How can Malawians trust them now?” he added.
While Executive director for CHRR Micheal Kayiyatsa told the news conference in Mzuzu on Thursday, May 28, 2020 that presidential candidates should also consider the protection of Human Rights defenders and journalists who mostly suffer when trying to report big issues to the public.
Kayiyatsa mentioned the Msundwe case where 13 women were raped and tortured in October last year by police officers yet till now no one is sure if they were arrested,in such a case he urged these presidential candidates to deploy all police officers who were on duty on that day.
He added that those involved throwing the petrol bomb to the UTM office which endangered the family of Tambala to be arrested because till now not even one suspect has been apprehended.
The presidential candidates who have received this letter arePeter Mutharika and his running mate Atupele Muluzi of DPP/UDF alliance, Dr Lazarus Chakwera and his running mate Dr Saulos Claus Chilima of Tonse alliance and Peter Kuwani and his running mate of Mbakuwaku Movement.
Malawi is expected to go to fresh presidential polls in a month time following February 3, 2020 Constitutional Court (ConCourt) nullification of May 21, 2019 polls.