The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) says it is shocked with the continued lawless acts and increased cases of violence in the aftermath of May 21 polls this year.
In a statement made available to YFM CCJP has condemned government for not doing enough to quell the continued violence which it says has potential to encourage impunity and throw the country into a lawless and ungovernable society.
A press statement signed by CCJP national coordinator Boniface Chibwana said the violence that is happening in the full view of police officers is a signal of silent approval from those in authorities.
The condemnation follows ugly scenes that ensued in Blantyre on Wednesday where democratic progressive party youth wing known as cadets disrupted Human Rights Defenders Coalition protests which led to the death of a child, hacking of activist Billy Mayaya and fainting of a pregnant woman as a result of teargas canisters which were fired police officers.
In the statement CCJP has recommended that the office of the President and relevant parliamentary committees should urgently address the MEC leadership saga which is the bone of contention for the protests.
The statement further calls on Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) to investigate alleged cases of human rights violations perpetrated by police officers, MDF soldiers, DPP cadets and citizens during a spate of protests that have occurred since the country went to the polls.
The Malawi Police Service has also been asked to rise above partisan politics and puts its house in order to adequately protect citizens at all times and reclaim the institution’s lost public trust.
CCJP has also asked the office of the Attorney General and local council executives, as public and not political offices, to exercise reasonableness and rationality in dealing with notices for demonstrations by protesters.
On the cadets, CCJP wants the governing party (DPP) to discipline members of its youth wing and all its supporters involved in violent conduct.
Traditional and religious leaders have also been urged to desist from commenting anyhow on the ongoing electoral court cases to avoid being deemed partisan and misleading their subjects and faithful.
