By Pemphero Malimba:
The National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust has said implementation and enforcement of laws that safeguard against racial discrimination is critical in the country as the vice remains a global challenge.
Nice Trust acting Executive Director Gray Kalindekafe made the sentiments in a statement as Malawi Thursday joined the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Kalindekafe said there is a need to put in place robust measures that can help to address racial discrimination in Malawi.
“We commend the Malawi Government for enacting laws that safeguard against racial discrimination. However, implementation and enforcement are critical. Nice calls for robust measures to address hate crimes, xenophobia and bias,” he said.
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Kalindekafe then urged civil society organisations, faith leaders and community members to join hands in fostering understanding and tolerance.
“Together, we can create a Malawi where every individual thrives regardless of their ethnicity or other different backgrounds,” he said.
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed on 21 March.
On the day, police in Sharpeville, South Africa, killed 68 people during peaceful demonstrations against apartheid ‘pass laws’ in 1960.
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This year, the day was commemorated under the theme ‘A Decade of Recognition, Justice and Development: Implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent’.
In a post on its website, the United Nations says racial discrimination and the legacies of slavery and colonialism continue to destroy lives and curtail opportunities, preventing billions of people from enjoying their full human rights and freedoms.
