Little improvement in human rights - report

Although Malawi is making some progress towards improving its human rights, the areas of education, health, freedom of expression and women's rights remain problematic, says a new report by the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC). The report, which will be presented to parliament in June, noted that in spite of extending free education to all primary school children, the number of under- and unqualified teachers would have an adverse impact on long-term development in the country, research director Adams Banda told IRIN on Tuesday. Malawi has the second highest rate of infant mortality in the subregion, after Angola, in spite of various interventions. The maternal mortality rate has also worsened, indicating a decline in the health sector and deepening poverty. Researchers found that although there had been improvement in freedom of expression, the country was losing many of the gains it had made since the advent of multiparty democracy in 1994. This was mainly through the actions of the Young Democrats, the militant youth wing of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF). Banda said that during the debate over whether President Bakili Muluzi should be allowed a third term in office, those expressing dissent were regarded as enemies of the government. The police action in this regard "was not quite professional", and although they were "quick to pounce on the opposition, they rarely arrested anyone in government", he added. The UDF, faced with widespread protest, gave up on seeking a constitutional amendment to allow Muluzi to stand for another term. However, in the run-up to elections in 2004, the use of the public broadcaster, funded from taxpayers' money, remains a virtual monopoly of the UDF. "They only cover opposition events when there is trouble in the opposition. The ruling party is portrayed through a positive image, but the opposition is portrayed through a negative image," Banda commented. Women's rights were improving but still had a long way to go with only 17 women MPs in a parliament of 193. This could be attributed to the high illiteracy rate among Malawian women, who are forced to drop out of school at an early age. There were laws protecting women and their property rights, but they were not widely known. Banda said overall the report found that human rights in Malawi had deteriorated "slightly". "There were hopes when the country changed from a single party state to a multiparty democracy that previously denied freedoms would be enjoyed, but there is a feeling that it is not quite marching forward, but moving backwards." The MHRC is a statutory body set up under the country's multiparty constitution.