Foreign donors push Malawi over repressive media law

"We share the concerns voiced by many Malawians about certain negative trends in the country," wrote the eight heads of mission to Malawi in a joint statement issued on Friday, 10 February 2010.

"The passage of the Penal Code Amendment Act has heightened these concerns. We remain deeply committed to Malawi and its people. As partners and friends, we would like to recall that good governance and respect for human rights - including freedom of expression, observance of democratic principles, and freedom from discrimination - are the foundation upon which our partnership is built," reads the communication in part.

Adhering to international standards

The statement also says because of this enduring commitment to Malawians, it is their responsibility as partners and friends to monitor closely Malawi's adherence to international standards for protecting its citizens' rights.

"We look forward to expanded dialogue with the Government of Malawi about these concerns," says the statement signed by Rain Muller who is the German ambassador to Malawi, Jacques Gascuel Charge d' Affaires for France, Liam MacGabhann, ambassador of Ireland, Stefa Jon Hafstein, Charge d' Affaires, of Iceland, Jan Hakkon Olsson, Charge d' Affaires, for the Royal Norwegian government to Malawi.

The others are Fujio Samukawa Japanese ambassador to Malawi, Craig A Anderson, and the Charge d 'Affaires for the US Embassy as well as Fergus Cochrane-Dyet who is the British high commissioner to Malawi.

Compromising sovereignty

The statement follows a declaration by Malawi government on Wednesday that told off bilateral donors that the country cannot compromise its sovereignty to make laws that are suiting the international and the donor community.

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Dr George Chaponda led a team of presidential spokesperson Hetherwick Ntaba, information and civic education minister Symon Vuwa Kaunda and gender, women and children welfare minister Tereza Mwale in addressing a news conference in the capital Lilongwe.

"We are not ready to change the laws to satisfy donors. We have to understand that as a country you need to have certain principals for the benefit of the country," said Chaponda.

Crimininalising homosexuality

Among other things Malawi's parliament in November made amendments to the country's Penal Code which now criminalises homosexual relationships. Chaponda said Malawi cannot amend its laws to allow homosexuality just to receive donor aid.

Presidential spokesman Ntaba also said donors should not give conditions of aid so that the country should embrace cultures that are not in line with its traditional beliefs.

"In as far as we cannot run away from the fact that we need their aid, it is absurd for these countries to be forcing the country to embrace immoral cultures. We are a sovereign state and we deserve to be treated as such, aid or no aid," said Ntaba.

On his part, minister of information and civic education Vuwa Kaunda defended government for the repressive law which President Mutharika recently assented to that will allow a minister to ban a newspaper or any publication. Vuwa said the amendment of the law is fair unlike the previous clause.

"Government wishes to emphasise that, unlike the previous section where the minister had absolute discretion to ban publication, the amended section only requires the minister to provide reasonable ground for any decision," said Vuwa.

He said the minister's decision can be challenged by a judicial review.