By Wezzie Gausi:
President Lazarus Chakwera has challenged newly sworn-in Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) commissioners to be defenders of Malawians’ rights as they take up their roles for the next three years.
The new cohort was sworn in at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe Thursday having got into office on August 26 2023.
The President challenged the commissioners to be familiar with their work so that they do not lose sight of their objectives.
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“The commissioners should also keep their faith in the midst of the challenging circumstances that lie ahead of them. Challenges are not reason enough to lose focus in safeguarding the rights of people.
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“The commissioners should be geared up to defeat evil as the call to safeguard human rights is not easy,” the President said.
Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba stressed that the role of MHRC is to protect and promote the rights of Malawians.
Zamba also reminded the new commissioners that the law gives them power to investigate suspected human rights violations.
“It is worth noting that 56 percent of the newly appointed commission is made up of women,” Zamba said.
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Newly appointed commissioner Chikondi Chijozi said the new cohort is ready to serve Malawians to their best of their abilities.
“We are happy to have been appointed by the President to serve in the commission. We are ready to serve and give out the best,” Chijozi said.
In February this year, MHRC bade farewell to the seventh cohort of commissioners that came into office in February 2020.
The commissioners were sworn in yesterday are Viwemi Chavula, who is executive director for Centre for Civil Society Strengthening, journalist Teresa Ndanga, Malawi Network of Older Persons Organisation director Andrew Kavala, University of Malawi Deputy Vice- Chancellor Sunduzwayo Madise, disability rights activist Scader Louis and human rights lawyer Chijozi.
Chijozi, Madise, Massa and Louis have been retained from the previous MHRC cohort.
