LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Minister of National Unity Timothy Mtambo has called on Malawians to co-exist and live peacefully.
The calls come in the wake of increased hate speech, racially motivated violence and xenophobic statements that have been dominant on social Media platforms.
In a statement released by Ministry of National Unity , Mtambo said he is deeply concerned and regrets that there are some citizens who are promoting hate speech, racially motivated violence, and xenophobic statements against o fellow Malawians of Asian descent and the Asian business community.
The Statement reads “While the Ministry acknowledges the right to peaceful protest according to Chapter 4, Section 38 of the Malawi Republican Constitution, we also wish to appeal to everyone against instigating racially motivated violence and any form of discrimination. Let us be reminded that
Malawi is governed by laws and whatever we are doing should happen within the confines of the law.”
“The right to freedoms of opinion and expression is sacred to all of us according to Sections 34 and 35 respectively, however we must with great caution concurrently exercise such freedoms without having to infringe on other person’s human rights and freedoms, including right to economic activity in Section
29, and the right to citizenship as stipulated under Section 47 of the Constiution.”
The statement clarified that having an issue with one or two members of a grouping should not amount to profiling the entire race of the Malawian-Asian descent.
The Ministry encourages Malawians Citizens to respect the rule of law and always allow the due process of the law to take its course.
The Ministry is also appealing to the general public, organizers of demonstrations and all peace-loving Malawians to desist from using statements that have the potential to instigate racially charged violence against fellow Malawians of Asian descent and the Asian business community.
The statement went on to add, “In the same vein, Malawians of Asian origin are advised to avoid provocative responses which may lead to further unnecessary tensions. Two wrongs do not make a right.
The Ministry is engaging with all relevant stakeholders and taking all the necessary measures to ensure that any kind of conflicts and misunderstandings are always resolved amicably and in a timely manner”
“As peace loving Malawians, we are all obliged to peacefully co-exist as well as expressing our opinions, feelings and beliefs without necessarily infringing on other person’s human rights. As one people, we all have a right to exist, conduct legally accepted business and live here in Malawi as stipulated in Section 29 of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi.
“Racial profiling, xenophobic statements, discrimination and instigating violence are all tantamount to breaking the Let us embrace peaceful co-existence and unity as a catalyst for national development and prosperity in line with Malawi Development Vision 2063, since no country can develop without peace and unity.”
