Rights group urges Malawi election candidates to prioritize human rights protection News
Achipungu, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rights group urges Malawi election candidates to prioritize human rights protection

Amnesty International called on Malawi’s presidential and parliamentary candidates on Thursday to prioritize human rights in their political agendas and ensure that Malawians’ rights are respected before, during and after the country’s September 16 elections.

The organization emphasized that the upcoming elections present an opportunity to advance human rights in Malawi, particularly following unmet commitments during President Lazarus Chakwera’s term regarding the improvement of living standards, government accountability, and civic space. Amnesty’s call followed a report outlining key priorities for incoming officials, including the right to food, protection of women’s rights, freedom of association and expression, and the protection of disabled people, as well as those with albinism.

Amnesty International’s regional director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, stated that Malawi’s incoming government should reform legislation limiting freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in order to allow the “effective realization” of human rights. Amnesty specifically criticized the use of Malawi’s Non Governmental Organizations Bill and the Electronic Transactions and Cybersecurity Act 2016  to restrict civil society, target journalists, and suppress peaceful dissent.

Additionally, the rights group asserted that the next government must implement reforms to protect women and disabled people from violence. It noted that people with albinism continue to face discrimination and abuse in Malawi, recommending a review of existing laws and the implementation of the Disability Act of 2024 to address crimes against individuals with albinism.

Malawi is scheduled to hold general elections in September to elect the president, members of the national assembly, and local government councillors. This will be the second election since the annulment of the country’s 2019 results. Freedom of expression, transparency, and government accountability remain central concerns for voters seeking substantial reforms to improve living conditions and the economy in one of the world’s poorest nations. In July, human rights groups condemned attacks by armed men against election protesters and urged authorities to investigate and prosecute those responsible.

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