The Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) has urged the Ministry of Civic Education and National Unity in Malawi to discuss the latest version of the proposed National Peace Commission Bill with critical stakeholders.

CHRR also asked the ministry to publicise information relating to the bill before it is tabled in parliament.

Development Diaries understands that the bill seeks institutional platforms to support dialogue, conflict prevention, peace education, peacebuilding, and general social cohesion and national unity initiatives.

The body’s Executive Director, Michael Kaiyatsa, said it was critical to develop a law that will serve all all citizens of Malawi.

‘CHRR considers the development of the National Peace Commission Bill as a sign that the government is committed to promoting unity and peaceful co-existence in the country’, Kaiyatsa said in a statement.

‘As such, there is an urgent need to make sure that everyone, including the victims of past human rights abuses, have an opportunity to share their perspectives while there is still time, and before the bill is finalised’.

He also said, ‘Our interaction with communities shows that they know nothing about this bill, which raises concern that the government is going ahead with this bill without really talking to the people that are going to be directly or indirectly affected by it’.

The Minister of Civic Education and National Unity, Timothy Mtambo, has assured that all stakeholders are consulted before the bill is taken to parliament.

Source: CHRR

Photo source: Nyasa Times