MALAWI | Ombudsman Malera sworn in as MHRC Commissioner

On Thursday, 5 October 2023, the Ombudsman of the Republic of Malawi Grace Tikambenji Malera took oath of office as Commissioner for the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC).

Honorable Malera together with eight others were hosted to a swearing in ceremony by President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera at the Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe. The swearing-in ceremony follows their appointment by the President on 14 September 2023.

Section 131 of the Malawi Constitution provides that any person occupying the position of the Ombudsman shall at the point in time sit as Commissioner for the MHRC. The law further accords the Ombudsman together with the Law Commissioner nomination powers for the rest of the commissioners who are later appointed by the President of the Republic.

Speaking after the ceremony Malera said sitting in the commission is a call to service for the Malawian people by addressing patterns of injustices perpetrated by violation of Human Rights.

“Time has come for us as a nation to have continued conversations on how we can effectively respond to issues rights abuses even among the most vulnerable groups of our society such as women and children,” Honorable Malera said.

Malera is a seasoned Human Rights Lawyer and also a Gender activist with 21 years at the bar.

The other commissioners are Viwemi Chavula, Teresa Ndanga, Andrew Kavala, Boniface Massah, Sunduzwayo Madise, Scader Louis, Chikondi Chijozi and Rosemary Kanyuka.

Source: The Office of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Malawi