By Esnart Chingwalu
Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has appealed to government and other stakeholders to adopt National Action Plan which aims at protecting and promoting human rights in the country.
In its statement delivered at the 69th Ordinary session of African commission on the human and people’s rights currently underway in Egypt, the commission recommends that the long outstanding National Action Plan should be adopted before the year ends.
Reads part of the statement: “The government should fast track the adoption of the long outstanding National Action Plan for the protection and promotion of human rights in Malawi.
“The commission anticipates that the current Government will finalize, adopt and launch the plan which will provide guidance to the government and other stakeholders in the development and implementation of human rights programmes in the country before the end of the year.”
The commission has also asked the government among others to finalize the review of Disability Act, Witchcraft Act, Elderly Persons Act and Prison Act to ensure promotion of human rights in the stated sectors.
It has also noted with concern the stalling of prosecution into different matters of national interest such as death of Polytechnic Student, Robert Chasowa, Anti-Corruption Bureau Director, Issah Njaunju, among others.
Meanwhile the commission has commended the government for implementing the Access to Information Act which will enable people in accessing public information.
