13/12/2023
Malawi's leader wants a culture of freedom, equality, and justice.
By Penelope Paliani-Kamanga
A culture of freedom, equality, and justice for all is a necessary component of Malawi’s entrenchment of democracy and development, President Lazarus Chakwera has said.
According to Chakwera, one strategy for the creation of such a culture is through the enactment and adoption of legislation and policies that provide enhanced protection for marginalised groups, including women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, so that ‘no one’ is left behind.
The Malawi leader said this during the commemoration of International Human Rights Day, held under the theme "Consolidating and Sustaining Human Rights Culture into the Future.”
Chakwera led the activities marking the day at Chigumukire Primary School in Blantyre.
He announced five commitments that Malawi has lately made to the international community to enhance the promotion of human rights.
Among the commitments, the government pledged to actively engage in the United Nations' human rights mechanisms, including the Human Rights Council and treaty bodies.
He said Malawi was also committed to adopting legislation and policies that provide enhanced protection for marginalised groups, including women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, so that ‘no one’ is left behind.
“Malawi’s commitment is to ensure greater accountability and transparency in promoting and protecting human rights by strengthening oversight bodies and public institutions. Ours is a commitment to develop and implement a business and human rights action plan to serve as a framework for ensuring that businesses adhere to human rights principles all the time.,” he said.
Head of Mission, Embassy of Iceland, Inga Petursdottir, congratulated Malawi for being re-elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council.
She appealed for concerted efforts among the local and international communities to advance the promotion of human rights, peace, and justice.
Executive Director of the Women’s Legal Resources Centre (WORLEC), Maggie Kathewera Banda, who also represented human rights civil society organisations, commended the government for working hand in hand with human rights CSOs in addressing various issues bordering on human rights.
