Council denies HRDC permission to hold vigils at parliament

Lilongwe City Council has denied Human Rights Defenders Coalition permission to hold vigils at parliament building today.

The Coalition organized the vigils to force parliamentarians to pass the 50 plus 1 electoral law.

According to a statement referred to HRDC the council’s decision was arrived at after the human rights body failed to notify the council of their intention within the specified 48 hours.

Signed by Lilongwe Chief Executive Officer, John Chome the statement adds that “the vigil has not been authorized by the speaker of parliament as per section 103 of the police act.”

However, speaking in a separate interview with Radio Islam, HRDC chairperson for Lilongwe, Billy Mayaya, says the council’s decision is political.

“We followed all the requirements for them to hold the vigils adding it is a violation of their right to demonstrate,”says Mayaya

Meanwhile, HRDC has shifted the vigils to Friday 21 February, 2020.