Charities say Malawi plans to gag critics with draconian law
Bill to regulate NGOs is a way to silence criticism of the government, says Oxfam country director John Makina
Charities in Malawi have accused the government of trying to rush through a “draconian” law ahead of next year's elections aimed at muzzling criticism and stifling advocacy groups. They say the proposed legislation will give the government sweeping powers to interfere with the work of nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) in a country often rocked by allegations of high-level corruption. “It’s draconian,” Oxfam country director John Makina told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. “We believe this is a way to silence criticism of the government. We’re concerned that advocacy organisations will not be able to operate.” The bill, expected to be debated in parliament shortly, creates a new government-appointed body to regulate NGOs, including international and local charities, rights organisations, grassroots groups and faith-based organisations. Directors or trustees of NGOs that fail to comply face imprisonment of seven years. Fines will rise to 15-million kwacha ($20,800) from 50,000 kwac...
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