Malawian rights groups postpone anti-government protests after court action

Malawian rights groups postpone anti-government protests after court action

2011-08-17 11:03:30 GMT+7 (ICT)

LILONGWE (BNO NEWS) – Malawian rights groups announced on Tuesday they have postponed a nationwide anti-government demonstration scheduled for Wednesday after a court injunction was issued to stop it, local newspaper The Maravi Post reported.

"We have postponed the vigils to allow the court process and dialogue to move on but the issues still stand until the government responds to them," activist Rogers Newa, one of the main organizers, told a news conference in the country's capital of Lilongwe.

The organizers decided to postpone the protest after loyalists of President Bingu Wa Mutharika filed an application to a Malawi high court to revive an injunction which stops demonstrations against or in support of the government.

Newa said that by suspending the rally, the civil society was also giving a chance to a dialogue process long due since President Mutharika announced last month that he had established a presidential committee on dialogue.

The society groups announced the protests, to be held across the country, after Mutharika's government failed to immediately address their concerns over the economy and governance issues.

Last month, 19 people were killed and several others were injured when police opened fire on those taking part in anti-government protests which lasted for two days. Around 500 people, including human rights defenders, were arrested.

The protests in July brought together students, human rights activists and religious groups over a range of issues including repressive legislation, poor governance and fuel shortages.

According to an Amnesty International report released on Tuesday, over the recent months, the Malawian government has intensified its harassment and intimidation of critics and dissidents, many journalists and human rights activists among them.

The rights group has also urged the Malawian authorities to start an investigation into the lethal use of force during last month's protests and to respect the citizen's right to freedom of expression, association and assembly.

"If Malawians want to exercise their right to peaceful demonstration, they should be allowed to do so in safety," said Michelle Kagari, Amnesty International's Deputy Program Director.

Earlier this week, President Mutharika accused the European governments of seeking to overthrow his government by funding the demonstrations. He also claimed that the economic problems besetting the country were not unique of Malawi as there is economic turmoil elsewhere.

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