News
Youth and Society (YAS) 2020 OUR PARTNERS
YAS, other CSOs ask Government to drop criminal defamation cases By staff reporter Youth and Society (YAS) and other three Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have asked the Tonse Alliance Administration to drop all court cases related to freedom of expression. The CSOs: YAS; Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR); Misa-Malawi; and Centre for Human Rights, Education Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) argue that the government continues to stifle freedom of expression through the application of archaic and draconian laws. “We remind authorities that Malawi is a democratic country. In a democracy, no-one should be afraid to express their views. The only restrictions that are permissible are those that are prescribed by law, which are reasonable, recognized by international human rights standards and necessary in an open and democratic society, according to section 44(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi. “We further urge the Tonse Administration to drop all court cases related to freedom of expression. It is quite distressing to note that Malawi continues to cling to these archaic and draconian laws when other countries have removed them,” reads the statement in part that has been signed by CHRR Executive Director Michael Kaiyatsa, YAS Executive Director Charles Kajoloweka, Misa-Malawi Chairperson Teresa Ndanga and CHREAA Executive Director Victor Mhango. The statement warns that if the government will not listen to the calls to drop the charges as well as make law reforms, the CSOs will have no choice but to move the courts to review the country’s criminal defamation laws. The CSOs gave an example of Zimbabwe where in June 2014, the Constitutional Court there declared the offense of criminal defamation as unconstitutional and inconsistent with the protection of freedom of expression under the country’s Constitution. “As a consortium, we are determined and committed to ensuring full respect for fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in our constitution, including freedom of expression. In this regard, we are moving the courts to review the constitutionality of the country’s criminal defamation laws. We are confident that our good courts will declare these laws unconstitutional and inconsistent with the protection of freedom of expression under the country’s Constitution,” it says. Some of the archaic and draconian laws are Section 4 of the Protected Flag, Emblems and Names Act (Cap. 18:03), Section 200 of the Penal Code, Preservation of Public Security Act (Cap 14:02), Regulation 5 made under section 3 of the Act, Section 182 of the Penal Code (Cap 7:01), and the Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act of 2016. Currently, there are a number of people answering various charges in courts related to freedom of expression and these are Social Media Activist Joshua Chisa Mbele, Political Activist Bon Kalindo, Activist Sylvester Namiwa and Chisomo Makala among others.
OTHER News
YAS calls for immediate resignation of minister Msukwa over Sattar's land corruption allegations By staff reporter Human rights watchdog, Youth and Society (YAS), has asked Lands, Housing and Urban Development Minister Kezzie Msukwa to immediately resign, following his alleged involvement in the corrupt acquisition of some land by some Asian traders. READ MORE
YAS, other CSOs decry worsening economic inequality as Malawi Celebrates International Human Rights Day Wanangwa Mtawali-Nyasa Times Human rights and governance watchdog Youth and Society (YAS) and its collaborating civil society organizations (CSOs) have decried economic inequality in Malawi exacerbated by the current economic hardships, describing it as “the worst” in recent years. READ MORE
YAS takes ATI Act to Local Councils: Calls for strict compliance by public officials By staff reporter In its bid to contribute towards the successful implementation of the Access to Information Act (ATIA), Youth and Society (YAS) has taken the dissemination of the Access to Information Act (ATIA) and ATIA Guidelines to district councils. READ MORE
YAS, other CSOs rue gaps in implementation of access to information law in Malawi By staff reporter A consortium of Youth and Society (YAS), Oxfam and Development Communication Trust (DCT) has expressed concern over "some significant gaps" in the implementation of the Access to Information (ATI) Act and operating environment for the effective realization of the right to information. READ MORE
Charles Kajoloweka: Addressing delegates at the launch of the report.
News
Youth and Society (YAS) 2020 OUR PARTNERS
YAS, other CSOs ask Government to drop criminal defamation cases By staff reporter Youth and Society (YAS) and other three Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have asked the Tonse Alliance Administration to drop all court cases related to freedom of expression. The CSOs: YAS; Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR); Misa-Malawi; and Centre for Human Rights, Education Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) argue that the government continues to stifle freedom of expression through the application of archaic and draconian laws. “We remind authorities that Malawi is a democratic country. In a democracy, no-one should be afraid to express their views. The only restrictions that are permissible are those that are prescribed by law, which are reasonable, recognized by international human rights standards and necessary in an open and democratic society, according to section 44(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi. “We further urge the Tonse Administration to drop all court cases related to freedom of expression. It is quite distressing to note that Malawi continues to cling to these archaic and draconian laws when other countries have removed them,” reads the statement in part that has been signed by CHRR Executive Director Michael Kaiyatsa, YAS Executive Director Charles Kajoloweka, Misa-Malawi Chairperson Teresa Ndanga and CHREAA Executive Director Victor Mhango. The statement warns that if the government will not listen to the calls to drop the charges as well as make law reforms, the CSOs will have no choice but to move the courts to review the country’s criminal defamation laws. The CSOs gave an example of Zimbabwe where in June 2014, the Constitutional Court there declared the offense of criminal defamation as unconstitutional and inconsistent with the protection of freedom of expression under the country’s Constitution. “As a consortium, we are determined and committed to ensuring full respect for fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in our constitution, including freedom of expression. In this regard, we are moving the courts to review the constitutionality of the country’s criminal defamation laws. We are confident that our good courts will declare these laws unconstitutional and inconsistent with the protection of freedom of expression under the country’s Constitution,” it says. Some of the archaic and draconian laws are Section 4 of the Protected Flag, Emblems and Names Act (Cap. 18:03), Section 200 of the Penal Code, Preservation of Public Security Act (Cap 14:02), Regulation 5 made under section 3 of the Act, Section 182 of the Penal Code (Cap 7:01), and the Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act of 2016. Currently, there are a number of people answering various charges in courts related to freedom of expression and these are Social Media Activist Joshua Chisa Mbele, Political Activist Bon Kalindo, Activist Sylvester Namiwa and Chisomo Makala among others.
OTHER News
YAS, other CSOs rue gaps in implementation of access to information law in Malawi By staff reporter A consortium of Youth and Society (YAS), Oxfam and Development Communication Trust (DCT) has expressed concern over "some significant gaps" in the implementation of the Access to Information (ATI) Act and operating environment for the effective realization of the right to information. READ MORE
YAS takes ATI Act to Local Councils: Calls for strict compliance by public officials By staff reporter In its bid to contribute towards the successful implementation of the Access to Information Act (ATIA), Youth and Society (YAS) has taken the dissemination of the Access to Information Act (ATIA) and ATIA Guidelines to district councils. READ MORE
YAS, other CSOs decry worsening economic inequality as Malawi Celebrates International Human Rights Day. officials Wanangwa Mtawali-Nyasa Times Human rights and governance watchdog Youth and Society (YAS) and its collaborating civil society organizations (CSOs) have decried economic inequality in Malawi exacerbated by the current economic hardships, describing it as “the worst” in recent years. READ MORE
YAS calls for immediate resignation of minister Msukwa over Sattar's land corruption allegations By staff reporter Human rights watchdog, Youth and Society (YAS), has asked Lands, Housing and Urban Development Minister Kezzie Msukwa to immediately resign, following his alleged involvement in the corrupt acquisition of some land by some Asian traders. READ MORE
Charles Kajoloweka: Addressing delegates at the launch of the report.