Malawi Police Brutality Against Refugees And Dispossession Of Property
By Burnett Munthali…….
It has been reported that Malawi Police beat up refugees and subjected children to harsh prison conditions in a government’s refugee relocation exercise.
On Wednesday 17 May, 2023, Police raided homes and shops of refugees mainly of Burundian and Rwandan origin.
There are serious allegations that refugees and asylum seekers were beaten and dispossessed of their property and that the Malawi human rights commission ( MHRC) is investigating the matter.
First, let me say that refugees have a duty. A refugee shall not engage in subversive activities endangering security of the country of refuge, or in activities inconsistent with or against the principles and purposes of the United Nations.
Secondly, the basic needs of refugees are that they must wash, clothe, shelter and feed their families with only the supplies they were able to carry at the time of escaping war. It’s an incredible burden — at a time when fear and uncertainty are already overwhelming.
Thirdly, according to international humanitarian law, refugees are in need of protection, are entitled to a privileged status. Once granted refugee status in a host country, the state can’t deport them. Migrants, on the other hand, live without legal protection and can be deported at any time.
Fourthly , international humanitarian law, refugee law and human rights law are complementary bodies of law that share a common goal, the protection of the lives, health and dignity of persons.
Fifth, what refugees want most is that they want to work and they want to contribute to our communities. Just like us, they seek a life of dignity, freedom and security.
Sixth, however, refugees are badly treated quite often. Some of the unfair treatment of refugees are that they are exposed to unsanitary conditions, severe overcrowding, poor food and water quality, lack of nutrition and healthcare, violence, and torture by security. There have even been instances of beating, raping, and smuggling children. These defenseless humans are not being granted rightful protection.
Finally, the core fundamental principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) are the distinction between civilians and combatants. The prohibition to attack those hors de combat (i.e. those not directly engaged in hostilities). The prohibition to inflict unnecessary suffering.
The Malawi Police and Immigration Department and Citizenship Services must always abstain from taking the law into their own hands when performing their duties. Quite a lot of police violence is noted around the world in many countries, in which, unfortunately, Malawi is also part of. Malawi Police can do much better than always opting to beat suspects and steal from them whenever they want to arrest people, let alone refugees and asylum seekers.
