US, EU Condemn Suppression Of Protests In Malawi

(RTTNews) - The United States and the European Union have strongly condemned use of force by Malawian authorities to prevent peaceful demonstrations, as well as the ban imposed on all private radio stations reporting the unrest.

In a statement on Thursday, U.S. State Department acting deputy spokesperson Heide Bronke Fulton said Washington was disturbed by reports of violence targeting individuals based on their political or social affiliations. The government's attempt to prohibit its citizens from marching, and the Communications Regulatory Authority's ban on independent media coverage undermine democracy and the rule of law that Malawians cherish, the statement added.
It reminded Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika to abide by the assurance he gave during the April 7 Millennium Challenge Corporation signing ceremony in Lilongwe that he will continue to adhere to and uphold democracy and good governance, freedom of expression, and freedom of association.
In the light of continued rioting and rumors of retaliation, the U.S. government urged restraint from both sides. It called on the people and the government of Malawi to remain committed to the principles of democracy and to express disagreements through peaceful means.
In a statement on Friday, European Union Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton strongly condemned the use of force and live ammunition by Malawian authorities on the previous two days to prevent their own citizens from exercising their constitutional right to demonstrate peacefully, as well as the ban imposed on media reporting the confrontations.
Denying the right of people to peaceful protest is unacceptable, she said.
Ashton said she was disturbed by reports of unwarranted violence targeted at certain individuals on July 20 because of their political or social affiliations, and by the announcement from the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) banning all private radio stations from broadcasting the unrest.

She also criticized the violence and looting perpetrated by a limited number of individuals during the protests.

Attempts by the state security to prohibit its citizens from marching in the capital city and other locations, and the regulator's ban on independent media coverage undermine democracy and the rule of law.

Ashton called on the people and the Malawi government to remain committed to the principles of democracy and to resolve disagreements through peaceful means. She encouraged President Mutharika to start as soon as possible a dialogue with all stakeholders as recognized in his address to the nation on Thursday.