Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) has faulted Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Samuel Tembenu for virtually telling Amnesty International (AI) off the country’s battle against abductions and killings of people with albinism.
During and after tabling the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill on Friday, Tembenu accused the global human rights body of compiling a report on the abductions and killings “probably out of ignorance.”
Tembenu was responding to a report which Amnesty International released last month in which Malawian government was said to have failed to protect people with albinism, leaving this group to the mercy of criminal gangs who hunt for their body parts.
The rights body said the attacks on people with albinism over the past two years were unprecedented and that a lack of action on the part of authorities has created a climate of terror for those with the condition.
Tembenu described the abductions and killings as a Malawi problem to be addressed by Malawians who know how to deal with it without outside dictation.
But HRCC, a network of over 90 human rights civil society and non-governmental organisations in the country, said it is unfortunate that a learned lawyer of Tembenu calibre uttered such sentiments.
HRCC Chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba said he is convinced the minister spoke out of anger.
“Amnesty International works in pursuit of Justice as guaranteed in numerous international and domestic instruments, be it at United Nations, African Union, Sadc and our own Republican Constitution. It simply follows on commitments Malawi made in these instruments that is guaranteeing the right to life for all persons including persons with albinism,” Mkwezalamba said.
He said there are many challenges that Malawi is facing in her fight against the barbaric acts and all that cannot be dealt with singlehandedly.
“We inherited the malpractice from Tanzania or Mozambique and we even sent our Inspector General to Tanzania to learn on the matter and for us to insinuate that the problem can be dealt with Malawians alone is a complete fallacy.
“We would have loved to see the government engaging the Amnesty International and task them based on their long experience in advocating for similar matters, to advise or suggest to government other ways or means it should have acted to address the concerns AI has over Malawi government. In the same way the government is acting as demanded by CSO or Hon Bon Kalindo, we appeal that AI should be given the same attention. After all, it is in the interest of all Malawians the world at large should ensure that the malpractice is stopped. So, no one should be left out,” Mkwezalamba said.
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