APM pledges better funding to MHRC

President Peter Mutharika has described the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) as a critical watchdog in safeguarding freedoms and has pledged to ensure it is adequately resourced to deliver its mandate.

Speaking on Friday during an audience with the outgoing commissioners at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, Mutharika said the Commission plays a central role in protecting vulnerable groups and holding duty bearers accountable.

“They have done a very good job regarding disability and elderly rights, access to information and many other areas. We discussed their accomplishments and looked toward the future,” Mutharika said.

Mutharika (C) poses with the commissioners. | State House

He singled out key achievements, including promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and the elderly and operationalizing the Access to Information law.

“The commission is very important to me because human rights are the foundation of democracy and development. Moving forward, I promise to ensure that the ccommission is well-resourced to fight human rights abuses and to protect every Malawian,” he added.

Human rights groups have consistently argued that underfunding has limited MHRC’s ability to investigate complaints, conduct civic education and monitor places of detention.

With public trust in institutions under pressure, analysts say a well-resourced Commission is critical to upholding the Constitution and Malawi’s international human rights obligations.

Outgoing MHRC chairperson Chikondi Chijozi Jere commended Mutharika for granting them an audience at the conclusion of their three-year tenure, which ended on August 26 2026.

“We came to brief the President on our work over the past three years, and we are pleased that he has committed to allocating adequate resources to the Commission,” Chijozi Jere said.

She noted that significant work remains, particularly in addressing barriers to justice.

“Many suspects spend extended periods on remand in our prisons before their cases are concluded. This is a human rights issue that needs urgent attention,” she said.

Chijozi also emphasized that without additional funding, the Commission will struggle to fully implement the Access to Information law, which is key to transparency and accountability.

The commissioners were appointed by former President Lazarus Chakwera on August 26 2023.