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The UDF is seeking help from the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) complaining against what they term “human rights abuses” by government following the recent arrests of top party officials who, the party claims, are being arrested without proper charges and kept in prison for some time before their charges are found.
Party secretary general Kennedy Makwangwala said on Tuesday the UDF national executive meeting held last Saturday had discussed the arrests of its top officials and agreed that government is abusing human rights.
He said the meeting agreed to ensure that government stops arresting people anyhow and holding them in custody for over 48 hours without charging them of any crimes.
“This is an abuse of human rights and we asked our legal advisor Honourable [Peter] Fachi to handle this matter but I am also filing a complaint to the Malawi Human Rights Commission to look into this matter,” said Makwangwala.
Earlier on Sunday, UDF spokesman Salule Masangwi also accused government of abusing human rights.
“They are finding it difficult to bring out formal charges against the UDF leaders that are being arrested and some are being held in police custody for over 48 hours before they are charged,” said Masangwi.
He said if this continues, the police will get used to arresting people for no reason and that the country will be awash with abuse of human rights before long.
“The police will be excited with punishing the UDF heavy weights and before long will fail to apply brakes and end up undermining government,” said Masangwi.
MHRC executive director Emiliana Tembo said although her office has not yet received the complaint from UDF, the party has a right to raise concerns if it feels it is being wronged.
“We’re prepared to hear the issues they are raising and we will bring both the party and the government together and hear both sides of the story,” said Tembo.
She said the best the Commission will offer is mediation.
Attorney General Ralph Kasambara said he was surprised by the allegations the UDF is raising because the party has managed to go to court and obtained bail for its members.
“They still have a right to approach Malawi Human Rights Commission and I am confident that the matter will be well handled,” said Kasambara.
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