The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), for the first time since the Tonse Alliance administration came to power, is planning to hold demonstrations if government does not meet the coalition’s demands within 21 days. HRDC has been publicly perceived as a bedfellow to Tonse Alliance. Is the honeymoon over or this is just a way for HRDC to redeem itself from negative public perception? Our assistant bureau chief SUZGO CHITETE engaged the HRDC leader GIFT TRAPENCE.

Trapence: Government should take HRDC call to action seriously

Q: Do you think it’s practical for government to meet your demands within 21 days? Are you ready for a compromise should they engage you?

A: Actually, the 21-day ultimatum is non-negotiable. This is just too long a period. Malawians want fuel now. They don’t need even one day or five days or 10 days for government to end this fuel crisis. Government should not work through public pressure. Malawians are sick and tired to be looking for fuel day in day out. This is mental torture to Malawians by their own Government that was elected on trust. Malawians want to live their normal lives where they are able to run their small businesses to support their families. The demands we have made are not for HRDC. The demands are coming from Malawians because they are suffering. In fact, it is an insult to Malawians for the government to ask for more time to resolve this crisis. President Lazarus Chakwera has been a spectator of this crisis. The President and his Government knew the problem and should have had solutions long time.

Q: In your first and second analyses of the Tonse Alliance administration, you rated the regime lowly yet it has taken this long for you to think of drastic action (protest). Why now?

A: HRDC has not been quiet only that people knew HRDC because of the protests and they expect HRDC to be demonstrating on every issue. HRDC does not demonstrate for the sake of demonstrating rather is able to assess the situation on issues whether there is impunity on the side of the government on issues that are having adverse impact on the citizens. HRDC does its demos at the right time when such strategy is needed most where government is not listening. It is important to note that besides protests, HRDC has been employing other strategies like we have done before with the previous government. We engage governments first, if it fails we speak out. If you noticed HRDC, the Catholic bishops, Nkhoma CCAP Synod and many Malawians have been honest and consistently been speaking out even giving performance assessments to this Tonse Alliance administration. We usually give early warning signs to the President and his government about delivering their campaign manifesto. Malawians, including HRDC, thought it is a listening government and needed time to deliver. HRDC also wanted to assess whether the protests that HRDC led have had impact to conscientise Malawians to jealously guard against their democracy. And over time HRDC has been happy to see activists employing demonstrations in order to raise their concerns to Government. We have also seen many Malawians taking active role to comment on Government issues on social media or through mainstream media. This is what HRDC wanted where every citizen takes an active role in defending good governance.

Q: Demonstrations against Tonse Alliance have been organised before by others. HRDC leadership has not been participating. Could it be that you never believed in this cause?

A: In the first place HRDC leadership believes that every Malawian has the right to demonstrate. Those demonstrating had the right to exercise that right and HRDC believes in the protection of that right. That is why HRDC issued a statement demanding for unconditional release of Joshua Chisa Mbele and others who were arrested during the recent demonstrations against Tonse Alliance Government. Indeed for the past years we have seen so many organisations, individuals demonstrating against Tonse Alliance administration on several issues, some demos with clear agenda, clear messaging, while others without clear agenda and messaging that could resonate with many Malawians. While HRDC agreed with the issues and further agrees with the enjoyment of the right to demonstrate, it is important to note that there is no golden rule that every Malawian should be forced to join every demonstration happening in the country. Other citizens cannot participate in demonstrations due to several reasons while agreeing with the cause.

Q: There is a general feeling that street protests are a tired strategy that does not bring the desired change. What’s your justification for your planned demos on December 7 and what would happen if the government is still not responsive?

A: In the First place we are HRDC, and HRDC is HRDC. That is why HRDC do not demonstrate on every issue for the sake of demonstrating. It has taken long time for HRDC to call for mass demonstrations. HRDC knows the right time and issues to call for demonstrations. This is the right time for HRDC intervention because many concerned Malawians have reached out to HRDC calling for demonstrations. You can also notice the attention HRDC press briefing drew. Thousands of Malawians watched it because they believe that something should be done to force the government to end the fuel crisis. Believe me, HRDC will deliver to pressure the government to be responsive by ending the fuel crisis. HRDC is experienced in advocacy strategies and has changed things before. HRDC knows exactly what it is doing as such it will not reveal its strategies or next course of action in case the government is not responsive. In fact, the government should take HRDC call to action seriously because Malawians are very angry with the suffering they are going through. The good thing is that this Tonse Government knows better how capable HRDC is when it comes to organising protests.

Q: There those who think HRDC has grown cold feet towards the current regime because it’s a bedfellow; you are benefiting. Is your latest action a way to redeem yourself from this perception?

A: People are entitled to their perception but HRDC does not agree with that. We know where such perceptions are coming from. It is because some HRDC members took up government positions. People feel betrayed. Those who joined government are the ones who went to bed with government and are the ones who are bed fellows of government and are the ones who benefited if you say so. In fact, you are asking such questions of benefitting to wrong people, ask those who took up government positions. For your own information, HRDC has not been quite rather just changed some of its strategies in order to remove the mindset of people that HRDC is about demos. For the past two years HRDC has been working on other programs on access to justice and has also continuously spoken out and also been giving yearly honest performance assessment of the Tonse Government where HRDC rates it low. Our actions now are not about redeeming HRDC. It is because there is a real need of doing so to save Malawians from the bandage of suffering. Know also that HRDC is a redeemer if I may be allowed to borrow the very same word. You should also know that HRDC is a powerhouse. HRDC is people power movement.

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