By Linda Kwanjana
The Civil Society leaders in Malawi have congratulated Malawi President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera on the recommendation by the Accreditation Subcommittee of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) that the A-Status of the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) be sustained.
Addressing a news conference in Lilongwe, Independent Civil Society leaders Chairperson, Ceaser Kondowe said this recognition indicates that Malawi has done well in as far as human rights is concerned.
“This is yet another milestone in his commitment on ensuring that the rights of Malawians are not only upheld but also promoted as enshrined in the Republic of Malawi Constitution as read in Chapter 4,” he said.
Kondowe who was flanked by veteran activis Unandi Banda and Caleb Ng’ombo said the award of an ‘A’ status to the National Human Rights Institutions (NHRI) is made based on a number of reasons one being the role of government and the state in the restoration, sustenance of promotion and protection of human rights in that country for example, providing adequate support to the NHRI.
He said the President and his Government are being applauded as having directly contributed to a credible NHRI in Malawi by creating an environment in which human rights are protected and support institutions that serve as human rights watchdogs.
The CSO leaders said Malawi NHRI is being recognized worldwide due to the support, they are receiving from Government without interfering with their independence.
“The support that the GANHRI has given acknowledges the support that the MHRC has received from the Government of President Chakwera which includes a 41% increase in funding of the Commission; a commitment to strengthen the current legislation’s provisions for the immunity of members of the Commission, and no incident of the President abusing his powers to dismiss members of the Commission from office,” he said.
The CSOs further said that since the day President Chakwera won the elections on 27 June, 2020, he has thrived to maintain his promise of upholding the constitution.
 that the A-Status of the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) be sustained.){kind=link}