Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Malawi: Respect Human Rights and Allow Peaceful Protest

Labourstart


In partnership with the International Trade Union Confederation, which
represents 175 million workers in 151 countries and territories and has
305 national affiliates.

On 20th July 2011, civil society organisations, including the trade union
movement headed by the ITUC-affiliated Malawi Confederation of Trade
Unions (MCTU), took to the streets to advance legitimate calls for the
government to address deteriorating economic conditions and international
relations as well as repressive laws limiting civil liberties. Nationwide
demonstrations in Malawi turned into two days of riots after government
security forces brutally put down the demonstrations, leaving 19 people
dead and many more injured. A set of recent legislative changes as well as
the violent repression of legitimate and peaceful protest actions
constitute unacceptable violations of international rights and standards.
Despite the brutal police crackdown, protestors took their demands to the
government, calling on President Mutharika to address these demands by 16
August. Many Global Union Federations, national centres and trade unions
have joined the ITUC in condemning the violent repression and calling on
the Malawi government to respect human and trade union rights.

Send a letter of solidarity:

http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=1074

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