A five-day workshop on the implementation of international human rights norms for Malawi magistrates will begin on 25 February 2008 in Mangochi, Malawi.
Organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat's Human Rights Unit (HRU), the workshop is aimed at sensitising the participants on the application of international human rights instruments in local courts, particularly in promoting and protecting the rights of vulnerable groups. The workshop will also encourage participants to use international comparative case law in courts.
"The workshop will also equip participants with knowledge and techniques of human rights training," said Mr Jarvis Matiya, Human Rights Adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat. "These efforts are in line with the Malawi Government's Development Strategy (MGDS) which advocates the development of a strong justice system, the rule of law and protection of the fundamental rights of women and children."
Mr Matiya added that Commonwealth Heads of Government agreed at their Kampala summit meeting in November last year that the Commonwealth should increase its efforts to promote respect for human rights through public awareness and training for police, the judiciary, prison officers and security forces. He stated that the HRU works with member governments to promote human rights awareness and best practices. This includes the implementation of international human rights instruments and the strengthening of governance and national human rights institutions.
Commenting on the workshop, the Registrar of the High Court of Malawi, His Honour Sylvester Kalembera, said: "The workshop will offer an opportunity to the judiciary to enhance its capacity in the application of international human rights instruments to which Malawi is a party. We hope that some of the magistrates who have undergone training at the workshop will be able to train others on the implementation of international human rights conventions by upholding standards and practices.'
The workshop, to be opened by the Acting Chief Justice of Malawi, Justice James Kalaile, will be attended by more than 40 participants drawn from various magistrates' courts in the country. Representatives from the University of Malawi's Law Faculty and the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights will help run the workshop in collaboration with the HRU.
Friday, 22 February 2008
China to Invest in Malawi Tobacco Processing; Crop to Increase
China is expected to invest in Malawi's tobacco industry this year to add value to a crop that generates 60 percent of the southern African nation's export income, said Trade Minister Henry Mussa.
``The Chinese have assured us that they'll be investing in tobacco-processing companies so that we add value to our crop instead of exporting raw tobacco,'' Mussa said in an interview today from the capital, Lilongwe.
China established diplomatic ties last month with the nation, Africa's biggest producer of the burley variety of tobacco, after Malawi severed links with long-time ally Taiwan.
Production this year is expected to increase 32 percent to 145 million kilograms (320 million pounds), four-fifths of which will be made up of burley, the state-run Tobacco Control Commission said. The balance will comprise flue-cured tobacco, Southern Dark-Fired and Northern Dark-Fired varieties, it added.
No new merchants have registered to buy tobacco this year, Derrick Jefta, an executive with the commission, said in an interview from Lilongwe.
Malawi's President Bingu wa Mutharika last year set a minimum price of $1.10 a kilogram for the lowest grades of tobacco after farmers boycotted sales over low prices in 2006.
``No new minimum price has yet been announced and talks are still under way on the issue,'' Jefta said, adding that press reports about higher prices were ``completely incorrect.''
Last year Malawi earned $194.6 million from the sale of tobacco. Richmond, Virginia-based Universal Corp. and Morrisville, North Carolina-based Alliance One International Inc. are traditionally the biggest buyers of Malawian tobacco.
Tobacco auctions are expected to begin next month, the commission said, without specifying a date.
``The Chinese have assured us that they'll be investing in tobacco-processing companies so that we add value to our crop instead of exporting raw tobacco,'' Mussa said in an interview today from the capital, Lilongwe.
China established diplomatic ties last month with the nation, Africa's biggest producer of the burley variety of tobacco, after Malawi severed links with long-time ally Taiwan.
Production this year is expected to increase 32 percent to 145 million kilograms (320 million pounds), four-fifths of which will be made up of burley, the state-run Tobacco Control Commission said. The balance will comprise flue-cured tobacco, Southern Dark-Fired and Northern Dark-Fired varieties, it added.
No new merchants have registered to buy tobacco this year, Derrick Jefta, an executive with the commission, said in an interview from Lilongwe.
Malawi's President Bingu wa Mutharika last year set a minimum price of $1.10 a kilogram for the lowest grades of tobacco after farmers boycotted sales over low prices in 2006.
``No new minimum price has yet been announced and talks are still under way on the issue,'' Jefta said, adding that press reports about higher prices were ``completely incorrect.''
Last year Malawi earned $194.6 million from the sale of tobacco. Richmond, Virginia-based Universal Corp. and Morrisville, North Carolina-based Alliance One International Inc. are traditionally the biggest buyers of Malawian tobacco.
Tobacco auctions are expected to begin next month, the commission said, without specifying a date.
Rwanda/Tanzania: Country for Malawi/Tanzania in 2010 Trial Test
Rwanda's Amavubi Stars will play either Malawi or Tanzania away on March 26, a date for international friendly games set by the World's football body Fifa.
The local football federation (Ferwafa) Chief Executive Officer Jules Kalisa told Times Sport yesterday that both countries had requested the local federation, Ferwafa to honor their invitations.
"We have received invitations from Malawi and Tanzania and we shall reply before the end of February," Kalisa said.
Ferwafa has also sent invitations to Egypt and Ivory Coast ahead of their 2010 World Cup campaign which kicks off on May 31.
"If our request is granted, Amavubi Stars will play either Egypt or Ivory Coast on May 26," Kalisa added.
These international friendly games will help to put Rwanda in shape before embarking on her 2010 Fifa World Cup/ CAN qualifiers. In the qualifiers, Rwanda is drawn against Morocco, Mauritania and Ethiopia and will start her campaign on May 31 with a home game against Mauritania.
Rwanda plays away to Ethiopia in Addis Ababa on June 7 before hosting the Atlas Lions a week later.
The Amavubi Stars will then fly to Rabat on June 21 for a return leg against the North African giants.
On September 7, the 2007 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup losing finalists head to Nouakchott for the second leg against Mauritania before winding up the campaign at home against Ethiopia on October 12.
Build up match
March 26
Rwanda v Malawi/Tanzania
2010 Fifa/Can qualifying schedule
May 31
Rwanda v Mauritania
June 7
Ethiopia v Rwanda
June 14
Rwanda v Morocco
June 21
Morocco v Rwanda
Sept. 7
The local football federation (Ferwafa) Chief Executive Officer Jules Kalisa told Times Sport yesterday that both countries had requested the local federation, Ferwafa to honor their invitations.
"We have received invitations from Malawi and Tanzania and we shall reply before the end of February," Kalisa said.
Ferwafa has also sent invitations to Egypt and Ivory Coast ahead of their 2010 World Cup campaign which kicks off on May 31.
"If our request is granted, Amavubi Stars will play either Egypt or Ivory Coast on May 26," Kalisa added.
These international friendly games will help to put Rwanda in shape before embarking on her 2010 Fifa World Cup/ CAN qualifiers. In the qualifiers, Rwanda is drawn against Morocco, Mauritania and Ethiopia and will start her campaign on May 31 with a home game against Mauritania.
Rwanda plays away to Ethiopia in Addis Ababa on June 7 before hosting the Atlas Lions a week later.
The Amavubi Stars will then fly to Rabat on June 21 for a return leg against the North African giants.
On September 7, the 2007 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup losing finalists head to Nouakchott for the second leg against Mauritania before winding up the campaign at home against Ethiopia on October 12.
Build up match
March 26
Rwanda v Malawi/Tanzania
2010 Fifa/Can qualifying schedule
May 31
Rwanda v Mauritania
June 7
Ethiopia v Rwanda
June 14
Rwanda v Morocco
June 21
Morocco v Rwanda
Sept. 7
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