MLS calls for HRDC leaders immediate release

Malawi Law Society MLS has called upon police to immediately release leaders of Human Rights defenders coalition.

MLS has regretted the position taken by president Mutharika and leaders of democratic progressive party prior to the arrest of leaders of Human Rights Defenders Coalition

In a statement signed by chairperson Burton Mhango and Secretary Martha Kaukonde MLS says “the political sentiments and immediate arrest clearly reflects political interference by the state in the operations of Malawi police.”

MLS has called upon all political players to avoid inflammatory language that was employed at a DPP rally at Njamba Freedom Park in Blantyre.

Meanwhile, HRDC chairperson Timothy Mtambo has surrendered himself to police in Lilongwe after High court ordered inspector general of police not to transfer him to another city and return to the capital city other leaders of the group who are detained in Blantyre.

However, there was chaos as people who escorted him stoned police and the law enforcers fired teargas to disperse them.

HRDC lawyer Khwima Mchizi said will find a strategy for the HRDC leaders to appear in court tomorrow for bail

High court in Lilongwe has ordered inspector general of police and officer in charge for Lilongwe police station to immediately return to Lilongwe two leaders of Human Rights Defenders Coalition HRDC Gift Trapence and Macdonald Sembereka.

Police arrested Trapence and Sembereka for calling on Malawians to seal state residences to force president Mutharika assent to electoral reforms bills and appoint new commissioners of Malawi Electoral Commission MEC.

They failed to arrest chairperson Mtambo who sought asylum at Norwegian embassy in Lilongwe.

Public Appointments Committee of Parliament recommended president Mutharika to fire MEC officials after finding them incompetent to manage fresh presidential elections on May 19 2020.

Constitutional court ordered the parliament to inquire them on their competency after it found them guilty of mismanaging 2019 presidential elections.