By Edwin Mauluka

The Malawi’s Second Vice President Enoch Chihana says the proactive work of some human rights defenders (HRDs) under the previous Malawi Congress Party (MCP) government prevented the country from receding to dictatorship.

Speaking on Tuesday night in Mzuzu city during the Human Rights Defender of the Year award ceremony at Grand Palace Hotel, marking International Human Rights Defenders Day, Chihana said despite facing intimidation and terror, some HRDs stood with Malawians in defending constitutional rights by demanding accountability and respect for human rights.

“I am happy today, that young people like Charles Kajoloweka and others are standing up. Without you, maybe Malawi could have gone back to dictatorship. Sylvester Namiwa and others could have died as well as some of us politicians,” he said while applauding Justice Redson Kapindu for his admirable work in human rights protection.

Chihana said, unlike the MCP era, under the new Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration, there will be no more acts of terror, intimidation and harassment against people who fight for the freedom of citizens as government will strive to create a conducive environment for human rights defenders to do their work.

“I reaffirm that the government of Malawi under leadership of President Peter Mutharika remains committed to ensuring that civic space is open and protected,” assured Chihana

He said Mutharika is a firm believer in human rights and recognises that human rights defenders are key in promoting democracy and meaningful citizen participation to strengthen public institutions work.

“Some of us in government will make sure that Malawi remain democratic, and end poverty. The government has to work for its citizens, protect them and make sure they live in a free society where they can contribute meaningfully to development,” he said

Chihana declares end of terror against rights defenders: Namiwa, Kathewera bag human rights defender of the year awards MediaGov — ***Second Vice President Enoch Chihana addresses the Human Rights Defender of the Year award ceremony in Mzuzu.***

Recalling challenges faced by his father, Chakufwa Chihana, when he was a political prisoner during the MCP’s one-party regime, the second vice president said Malawi should never go back to an era of terror against its own citizens. He expressed the need for rights defenders to sustain efforts in promoting the rights and accountability of those in power.

“After oppressing people we politicians forget that one day we will lose elections. Malawi has to change. And it is the commitment of this government that there has to be a good relationship with civil society. We need a symbiotic relationship. An injury to one is an injury to all,” emphasised Chihana

He also promised that government will ensure that laws governing freedoms are applied fairly.

Youth and Society (YAS) executive director, Charles Kajoloweka, urged government to honour its commitment to advancing and protecting human rights through deliberate action, reforms and accountability.

On accountability, Kajoloweka emphasised that those who commit acts of violence, such as the attacks on activists like Namiwa and civil servants during peaceful demonstrations, must be brought to book.

To demonstrate seriousness about freedom, he said, impunity must not be allowed to thrive and asked government officials and ruling party cadres to stop making sentiments that have the potential to fuel hate against rights defenders.

“These developments should worry anyone who believes in free civic space. Once civic space is eroded it does not recover easily,” he added.

Boniface Massa, Commissioner of the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC), noted that the country has witnessed distressing incidences of attacks on HRDs and committed that the Commission will continue to render its support.

“We stand with you with hope, and courage. The commission will be there to hear you and defend your rights.” he promised.

On her part, Letty Chiwara, Country Representative for UN Women, pledged continued collaboration and partnership with stakeholders to advance Malawi’s commitment to human rights and long-term vision of 2063.

“Human rights defenders should never face intimidation, violence, or reprisals because of the peaceful work they do,” said Chiwara

During the night, Maggie Kathewera Banda of the Women’s Legal Resources Centre (WOLREC) received the ‘2025 Human Rights Defender of the Year Award’ while Namiwa was her runner-up.

Justice Redson Kapindu, Chairperson of the Independent Awards Panel, said the work of the two awardees embraced the ethos of struggle approach to human rights.

He said Kathewera Banda is recognised for mobilising women and the girl child to stand up for their rights and never to remain silent in the face of adversity.

For Namiwa, he said: “The Human Rights Defender of the Year Award runner-up goes to a gentleman who has demonstrated undoubted courage in the past year in holding duty bearers accountable, in speaking out on concerns of Malawians in very difficult circumstances and a hostile environment. He kept on fighting and he reflects the ethos of struggle approach to human rights.”

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