![first gay pride parade cancelled in haiti first gay pride parade cancelled in haiti](https://fr.globalvoices.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/haiti-lgbt-800x585.jpg)
The protests followed a 20% fuel price hike a month before, which saw the prices of other basic commodities go up.ĭemonstrations held over suspicious Loans Authorisation Bill
![first gay pride parade cancelled in haiti first gay pride parade cancelled in haiti](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/idahopress.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/37/637b0cba-a17a-5b6b-9159-8cb64c588de0/5d0568de6b844.image.jpg)
Among other issues they called on President Chakwera to fulfil his government campaign promises or step down. Protesters presented their petition to the government through the Blantyre City Council. The protests attracted a heavy police presence. On 2nd November 2021, a group called Human Rights Ambassadors led demonstrations in the commercial city of Blantyre to protest against the high cost of living and unemployment.
![first gay pride parade cancelled in haiti first gay pride parade cancelled in haiti](http://projects.aljazeera.com/2014/haiti-lgbt/images/haiti_lgbt_deuby.jpg)
Former chairperson Timothy Mtambo, under whose leadership HRDC successfully mobilised protests which resulted in the nullification of the May 2019 presidential elections, had earlier been appointed as the Minister for Civic Education and National Unity.Ĭritics however expressed concern that these appointments could be seen as state tactics which threaten the legitimacy and integrity of HRD work as the public may increasingly view HRDs as mere political opportunists.Īs previously reported on the Monitor, HRDC has since 2018 played a critical role in mobilising citizens to demand better governance and human rights protection, and played a leading role in organising citizen actions which led to the nullification of the disputed May 2019 elections and saw president Lazarus Chakwera win in fresh elections that were held in 2020. According to reports, HRDC’s chairperson, Gift Trapence, was also offered a posting but rejected it. Luke Tembo, Billy Mayaya, Happy Mhango and Macdonald Sembereka had accepted verbal offers of appointments to Ethiopia, Belgium, Germany and the United States respectively, pending approval by parliament. In mid-June 2021, it was reported that government had appointed some influential HRDs into public service and diplomatic posts, including four senior leaders of the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), who were appointed to various foreign diplomatic missions. Despite strong opposition, President Chakwera assented to the Bill on 7th October 2021.Īnalysts question co-opting of HRDs into government Various groups including the Malawi Congress of Trade Union, academia and human rights organisations expressed concern that the amendment would stifle the right to strike. Of great concern to many stakeholders, including rights groups and labour rights movements, is the amendment to section 50 of the Employment Act which empowers employers to deduct wages from employees who are absent from work for more than 3 days in a year for participating in industrial action. On 7th July 2021, Parliament passed into law the Employment (Amendment) bill which sought to amend the Employment Act. Controversial Labour Relations and Employment Amendment Bill raises concern