The Law Society of Scotland has called upon Malawi government
to stop intimidating and violating rights for lawyers
The society made a
call following recent attack on human
rights defenders in Malawi including the detention of human rights
lawyer and former Attorney General Ralph Kasambara
According to a press statement released on
09 March 2012 The Society said it is extremely concerned over the widespread reports of harassment and
intimidation of lawyers including human rights defenders in the country
The society therefore called upon government to reaffirm its commitment to the freedoms
that are enshrined in the country’s constitution and uphold the protection of
the human rights of the citizens of
Malawi through its on actions and
those of its agencies.
It further called upon government to denounce politically
motivated and unlawful ill-treatment of those who choose to exercise their
democracy right to freedom of expression.
In addition to that, the Society also urged government to
resolve the current judicial strike
action which started in 12 January .
“The Society has also expressed deep concern at the
prolonged industrial action currently taking place within the Malawi judicial
and the ongoing and devastating effect this is having on citizens’ ability to
access the justice system.” Reads the
statement
“ We understand that
the ongoing strikes, which started in 12 January and have spread from judicial
support staff to include judges and
magistrates, have effectively brought the country’s judicial system to a stand-
still” added the statement
The statement added that the industrial action is as a result of government failure to undertake its
promised three-yearly salary review of
judicial officers and implement
the increase that were recommended at the last review in 2006.
The Law Society therefore urged government to begin open and
constrictive negotiations with the staff of the judiciary as one way of
reaching a compromise. Saying the strike action has serious and far-reaching
implications for Malawi citizens, victims of crime, suspects, law enforcement officials,
prisons and police stations
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