Lawyer: Malawi VP’s absence from state duties violation of his rights

Legal experts in Malawi on Wednesday described the absence of Vice President Cassim Chilumpha from performing state duties as a total violation of his human rights.

Renowned lawyer Bazuka Mhango told APA in Lilongwe that the Vice President was entitled to perform his duties as he was mandated by the electorates to do so as the president.

He said it was clear in the country’s constitution that a president has his vice president whom he works together with in performing the duties of the state.

"It is a human rights issue which needs to be looked into urgently and carefully so that things come back to normal. Politics should be put aside," he said.

He said the country’s human rights organisations have been silent for over three years since the Vice President was arrested on allegations of conspiracy to murder President Bingu Wa Mutharika.

Mhango said the country was now approaching towards elections in 2009 and the fate of the vice president was not yet known.

Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) Executive Secretary Aubrey Mvula said the issue of Chilumpha is in court and they cannot comment issues which are still in court.