By Modester Kayange
In an effort to protect the rights of the marginalized and vulnerable groups of people during disasters, the Malawi Human Rights Commission- MHRC has trained community policing groups on protection of human rights at Chambe in Mulanje. Speaking during the training, MHRC director of civil and political rights Peter Chisi said some rights of people were violated during the cyclone Freddy period hence the need to equip the community policing groups with skills on how they can handle victims to avoid violation of human rights. Chisi also said some some traditional norms need to be reviewed since they are perpetrating violation of rights of children.
“Some fathers do not support fully their children because of maternal family setting where children are regarded as belonging to their mothers hence the children lack some needs like quality education”, he explained.
Mulanje Police Station Child Protection officer Sub Inspector Amos Nthunzi said members of the community play a great role in protection of rights of children hence the need to train them. Nthunzi also said the training will equip community policing groups with relevant knowledge on how to execute their duties. Taking his turn, Mulanje district Social welfare assistant Davie Nyasulu advised the groups to work together with his office and follow up cases in their communities. Nkanda Traditional Authority community policing forum Chairman Jimmy Maduka thanked MHRC for the training saying the acquired skills will help them to handle cases effectively.
The meeting brought together police , social welfare, community policing forum, community victim support groups and child protection officers among others.
