The Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC)’s paper work is at an advanced stage to retain ‘A’ status accreditation by International Coordinating Committee (ICC) for Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) which will see Malawi’s gross of human rights violation reports recognized globally for possible support.
This was disclosed on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 in the capital Lilongwe when MHRC bid fare to the end of term for the 5th cohort of commissioners which has been in the office since 2012.
July 4, 2014 is an expiring date for commissioners to run MHRC affairs with expectation that President Mutharika will endorse new commissioners soon taking the mantle from the outgoing namely Ambassador Sophie Asimenye Kalinde, Reverand Zacc Kawalala, Marshal Chilenga, Dalitso Kubalasa, Benedicto Kondowe, Stephen Nkoka, Justice Dzonzi and Grace Hiwa (SC).
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Maravi Post, The outgoing MHRC Chairperson, Ambassador Sophie Kalinde applauded her team for grand fight in protecting people’s rights with comprehensive reports on gross of violation of human rights in Malawi.
Ambassador Kalinde said the commission is geared to retain its ‘A’ Status from ICC’s accreditation as all paper works were at an advanced stage to complete the process.
“Since 2012, when the Commission’s accreditation status was due for review, the Commission has consistently stayed on the course of constructive engagement with the ICC, ensuring implementation of its recommendations, in order for the Commission to retain its “A” status. The process of the Commission’s accreditation is on-going, and we sincerely hope for a positive result seeing that the Commission has undertaken almost all the necessary steps to comply with the internationally agreed standards for National Human Rights Institutions”, assures Kalinde
She however said the three term in office was a challenging and exciting with numerous progress towards implementation of the 2011 to 2015 Strategic Plan for MHRC, that of “independence”.
“As we exit from the Commission, it is worthwhile to reflect on the achievements that have been recorded as well as challenges that are outstanding. It is said that we can only pragmatically and effectively move forward if we embrace both our gains and losses as learning points for shaping the future. In this regard, we would like to point out that, what we see as a hallmark of the 5th cohort of the Commission is the persistence with which we safeguarded one of the Commission’s defining values as set out in the enabling laws and the 2011 to 2015 Strategic Plan for MHRC, that of “independence”.
“The 5th cohort also consistently carried out its monitoring functions leading to revival of publication of periodic status of human rights reports, the last of which had been done in 2002. The Commission has robustly used these statuses of human rights reports to engage with relevant duty bearers including the Presidency.
“To date, the 5th cohort has released 3 general status of human rights reports, in addition to several subject-specific status of human rights reports that focused on issues such as: the status of human rights in prisons and police cells; the status of availability of maize in ADMARC Depots; the transfer of beds from Mponela Rural Hospital to Edingeni and Euthini Health Centers; monitoring of child care institutions including orphanages; and monitoring of the status of human rights in the extractive industry; monitoring of public hospitals. Most importantly the 5th Cohort carried out a comprehensive human rights-based monitoring of the May 2014 Tripartite Elections.
“During the 5th cohort’s tenure of office, the Commission continued to handle a considerable number of human rights violations complaints through investigations, alternative dispute resolution and litigation. In the three year period, a total of 1225 complaints of human rights violations were registered and handled, thereby providing an alternative, less costly and in most cases, time effective, means of access to remedies for human rights violations by aggrieved parties.
“Some notable cases: Concerned residents of Mchengautuba vs. Malawi Housing Corporation;
in the matter of the Closure of Salima District Hospital Mortuary;
Investigations into the allegation of prisoners dying of hunger at Maula Prison;
Investigations of incidences of deaths of persons in police custody;
investigations into the issue of the transfer of beds from Mponela Rural Hospital in Dowa District to Euthini Rural Hospital and Edingeni Health Center in Mzimba District; and
investigations into the resource utilization and progress relating to the Phalombe-Jali Road, Phalombe District Hospital and the proposed construction of Nine Teachers Training Colleges.
“With respect to litigation, one notable achievement in this area is the resentencing hearings for close to 200 death row inmates which the Commission is facilitating in collaboration with several partners. This is in a bid to enhance access to justice for vulnerable categories”, highlights Ambassador Kalinde.
Later the Maravi Post caught up with Mia Seppo, UN Resident Coordinator who expressed gratitude for the work the outgoing commissioners have demonstrated to Malawians citing the quick response on threats towards Albinisms, the just ended floods but still worried with rampant of child marriages and persistent hunger to some parts of the country as a violation of right to food which needs to be addressed urgently.
