| Overview : The Malawi Human Rights Commission is a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) for Malawi established by the Constitution of Malawi (the Constitution). The primary function of the Commission is the promotion and protection of human rights accorded by the Constitution or any other law. The Commission started its operations in 1999 following the enactment of the enabling legislation, the Human Rights Commission Act (HRCA) in 1998 and appointment of the first cohort of commissioners in 1999. At the foundation stage, the Commission was organised based on its functions, including investigations of violations of human rights. However, in 2009, the Commission decided to focus on thematic issues and as such, its operational structure was reorganised to include the directorates of Civil and Political Rights, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Child Rights, Gender and Women Rights and Disability and Elderly Persons. These directorates perform protection and promotion functions as stated above. Investigations of the violations of rights are however undertaken as part of the broader functions of the thematic areas and as such have often not received adequate attention. |
