President Dr Lazarus Chakwera is today leading Malawians in commemorating International Human Rights Day and the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Dr Chakwera is set to preside over the event at Chigumukire School Ground situated in Chileka, Blantyre.
The event comes at a time when the Malawi leader continues to score highly from the international lens as far as the upholding of human rights is concerned.
Many human rights activists, both local and international, also contend that President Chakwera has over the past three years managed to reset Malawi’s human rights record by capitalising on the goodwill from Malawians and the global community.
President Chakwera has repeatedly advocated for justice, equality and dignity for all Malawians irrespective of race, gender, religion, political affiliation and tribe, among others.
Previously, and before the Malawi leader took over the government, Malawi’s human rights record sunk to record low on the back of human rights abuses and poor governance which led to many development partners freezing their aid taps to Malawi.
In June 2011, for example, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) withheld the $350 million Compact Programme aid package over poor governance and human rights abuses.
In his message ahead of this year’s Human Rights Day, the United Nations (UN) General Secretary António Guterres called on member states including Malawi to use the 75th anniversary to strengthen their commitment to the timeless values of the Universal Declaration.
He also urged people around the world to promote and respect human rights “everyday for everyone, everywhere.”
This year’s event will be commemorated under the theme: “Freedom, Equality and Justice for all.”
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