Malawi Human Rights Commission call for investigation on reports of police brutality

Report by Gloria Masanza. 

As different civil rights organisations continue to voice out their concerns on the recent conduct of the Malawi police service, the Malawi Human Rights Commission-MHRC has called on Inspector General of Police Oliver Kumbambe to immediately act on recent reports of police brutality

The call comes in the wake of recent reports of brutal acts by the police, in which some officers are alleged to have ill-treated suspects.

MHRC Executive Secretary Aubrey Mvula, made the call when the commission appeared before the Legal Affairs Committee of Malawi Parliament on Wednesday this week.

Mvula comments come hot on the heels of another call from the Civil Liberties Committee-CILIC, for the police to review the way they handle suspects.

The MHRC Secretary said the commission was saddened with the continued reports of police brutality, especially in the way they handle suspects, and called for a quick and thorough investigation into the matter.

He cited the incident in which four 997 police officers were alleged to have shot and killed one Yusuf Abdullah of Lilongwe after some disagreements, as one of the worst acts of a reformed police service.

Mvula then asked the Inspector general of Police Oliver Kumbambe, to immediately call for an investigation, in all the reported cases, and not to harbour any officer, found to be in the wrong.

He added that it was sad to note that suspects continue to suffer in the hands of the police who are supposed to protect their rights and integrity.

Chairperson of the Legal Affairs committee, Atupele Muluzi, urged the commission to seek court action, if they have evidence of such police malpractices.

Recently the British High Commissioner to Malawi , also issued a statement, through its press officer Wendy Freeman on the conduct of the police.

Freeman said the British Government funded the Malawi Police reform programme, so that cases of police brutality should come to an end.

And in a related development the commission has also asked for the release of prisonesr who are critically ill of HIV/AIDS related illnesses.

The appeal has come at a time when different civil society organisations have been expressing concern over the  poor conditions that inmates in the country’s prisons are being subjected to.

The activists have reported of inhabitable conditions of Malawi's prisons.

MHRC Executive Director Aubrey Mvula said that basing on thier findings, the commission recemmended that commission recommended that prisoners who are critically ill and are on ARVs should be released.

Mvula said that this would help them to access proper home based care, considering that diet in prisons is very poor.

He described the current situation as worse, saying a number of prisoners have died due to lack of nutritious food.

Mvula said a survey conducted by the MHRC in 2007 on inmates living with HIV and AIDS, revealed that most prisoners are denied a number of basic human rights including the right to medical care and treatment