Courts in Malawi Defend Protestor Rights

The courts in Malawi have dismissed a government petition seeking to ban protests relating to the contested 2019 elections. 

The petition was submitted by the Attorney General, Kaleleni Kaphale, following a number of demonstrations in recent months, some of which have resulted in clashes between security forces and protestors.  

The protests call for the annulment of the officially declared results of the May elections, in which President Mutharika was re-elected. Specifically they have targeted the chair of the electoral commission Dr Jane Ansah, who has been accused of bias. While they have been backed by opposition figures, who are challenging the results in the courts, they have been led by the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC).

Protestors have been accused of violence and damaging property, while police have fired tear gas and been accused of being heavy handed in dealing with largely peaceful and unarmed demonstrators.

The court ruling, as set out by Judge Kenyatta Nyirenda, upholds the rights of protestors to demonstrate.