National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust has intensified awareness campaigns on human rights in Blantyre.

Speaking on Monday during a workshop organised for civic education volunteers, Nice Blantyre civic education expert Glory Maulidi said they embarked on the initiative after noting knowledge gaps on human rights among many  residents.

She said: “We observed that most people were not aware of their rights as regards criminal and civil proceedings within our judicial system.

“In the end, their rights would be violated without them knowing. We want to empower people to know their rights and laws that protect them when they seek justice.”

Maulidi said some people think that offenders do not have human rights.

“People’s perception is that offenders don’t have rights, but that is not true. Offenders are humans first. They must enjoy their human rights and be protected according to law just like anyone else,” she said.

Limbe Police Station Assistant Superintendent Lloyd Kachotsa commended Nice for the initiative.

He said the initiative will help people to understand how cases are handled, which will minimise unfounded accusations  prosecuting authorities are subjected to.

“If people know that offenders have rights, mob justice cases will also decline,” said Kachotsa.

Paralegal officer Melonisa Kachimanga said the initiative will simplify their work as people will know the rights of offenders and victims.

“The knowledge will enable offenders to demand their rights from authorities. For example, people should know that police bail is free while court bail is not,” she said.

Makungwa civic education volunteer Andrew Nangomi said they now know that both victims and offenders have rights.

“We will teach people about the rights of offenders and victims in our areas,” he said.

Nice is implementing the initiative with funding from the European Union under the Chilungamo Project.

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