Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Times News
Published on 2024-04-12 06:25:31
The government of Malawi is in the final stages of reviewing the guidelines for pardoning prisoners in the country. This review process comes in response to calls from various stakeholders who have highlighted the need for an updated and more objective set of guidelines. Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda acknowledged that there were gaps in the current guidelines, which were last reviewed in 1999, and emphasized the importance of aligning them with the constitution.
Chakaka Nyirenda revealed that the review process is almost complete and that the changes being made aim to address the identified gaps and bring the guidelines up to date with the current situation in the country. He mentioned that there have been significant changes in Malawi since 1999, which necessitate a thorough revision of the guidelines. One key area of focus is the broadening of the powers of the Advisory Committee on the Granting of Pardon Act, which plays a crucial role in advising the President on the granting of pardons.
According to Chakaka Nyirenda, a pardon is granted by the President based on the advice of the committee and in accordance with the set guidelines. He highlighted that the President holds the ultimate authority to grant a pardon, but emphasized the need for transparency and objectivity in the process. Critics have raised concerns about the current guidelines, suggesting that they have been misused to benefit undeserving individuals with political connections.
Victor Mhango, the Executive Director of the Centre for Human Rights, Education, Advice, and Assistance, welcomed the government’s initiative to review the pardon guidelines. He pointed out that the existing guidelines were outdated and no longer reflective of the current situation in Malawi’s correctional facilities. Mhango called for the establishment of a parole system to ensure transparency in the pardon process and prevent abuse.
Pardons in Malawi are granted for various reasons, including health grounds, age, completion of half of the sentence, and good behavior by the convict. President Lazarus Chakwera has exercised his pardoning powers several times since taking office in 2020. One notable case was the pardon granted to former commissioner of the Malawi Electoral Commission, Linda Kunje, who was convicted alongside her driver for blocking a presidential motorcade in Zomba. The decision to pardon Kunje sparked mixed reactions, with some questioning the criteria used to select individuals for pardon.
In conclusion, the ongoing review of the guidelines for pardoning prisoners in Malawi reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent pardon process. By addressing the identified gaps and aligning the guidelines with the constitution, the authorities aim to prevent abuse and promote accountability in the pardon system. The involvement of stakeholders and human rights organizations in this process is crucial to safeguarding the integrity of the pardon system and ensuring that deserving individuals benefit from clemency.
Read the original article on The Times
