Malawi submits Human Rights Universal Periodic Review

On the 3^rd November, led by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Titus Mvalo, Malawi submitted its Universal Periodic Review (UPR), as part of the UN’s Human Rights Council. As part of our Year of Governance Strengthening, we are keen to support and amplify Malawi’s work in this area.

Watch the presentation of Malawi’s UPR HERE

Read the 3^rd November Malawi UPR HERE

Full Appendices/different languages HERE

Read the UK Government’s statement on the Malawi UPR HERE

Learn more about the UPR process HERE

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all UN Member States. The UPR is a State-driven process, under the auspices of the Human Rights Council, which provides the opportunity for each State to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to fulfil their human rights obligations.

As one of the main features of the Council, the UPR is designed to ensure equal treatment for every country when their human rights situations are assessed. The ultimate aim of this mechanism is to improve the human rights situation in all countries and address human rights violations wherever they occur. Currently, no other universal mechanism of this kind exists.

This is Malawi’s third UPR, the first was in November 2010 and the second in May 2015. It includes:

Implementation of 2015 recommendations and general human rights update since 2015

·Political developments

·Constitutional and legislative framework

·Policy framework

Civil and political rights

·Access to information

·Freedom of association and assembly

·The status of democracy and management of elections

Child rights

·Birth registration

·Child marriages

·Child trafficking

·Child labour

Gender equality and the rights of women

The economic and social rights of women

Rights of vulnerable groups

·Persons with disabilities

·The youth

·The elderly

·Widows

·

Extractive industries and human rights

Human rights and governance institutions

Access to justice

Social economic rights

·Education

·The right to health

·Nutrition

·Right to food

·Environmental rights

Challenges in the implementation of the UPR recommendations and technical support needed