CHRR faults shooting
Human rights defender Timothy Mtambo has reiterated that the drive to reduce armed robberies in the country can be successful with a sustainable security plan backed by resources not shooting suspects.
Mtambo, who heads the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), said this did not mean he was defending armed robbers, but the right to life which he stated was non-derogable and applied to police officers, civilians and even suspects.
Mtambo’s comments come against the background of the shooting of four suspected armed robbers who were attempting a heist at a Puma Energy (Malawi) Limited service station at Kanengo in Lilongwe on Friday.
Last Monday, a police officer on the security detail of Petroda (Malawi) Limited was shot dead during a heist just off Paul Kagame Highway in Lilongwe after armed robbers hijacked a minibus carrying cash.
But Inspector General (IG) of Police LextenKachama last week denied the existence of the shoot-to-kill policy initially championed by former president the late Bingu wa Mutharika in 2011, saying there was no such law.
Mtambo said: “As human rights defenders, we are equally concerned with the insecurity in the country. When crime rates are high, the right to personal security, right to property and right to life are all affected. But shooting suspects is not the only solution.”
He cited United Nations (UN) Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials 1990 (Principle 9) which states that “intentional lethal use of firearms may only be made when strictly unavoidable to protect life”
The UN states that police officers have to first identify themselves and warn suspects of their intention to fire before doing so.
Since Peter Mutharika and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won the May 20 2014 Tripartite Elections, there have been increased cases of armed robberies, including break-ins to houses of high-profile personalities such as Vice-President SaulosChilima’s official residence in Blantyre and Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security AtupeleMuluzi in Area 9 while he served as Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining.
There have also been several armed robbery cases where police officers have been shot dead, prompting some quarters to call for the reintroduction of shoot-to-kill policy.
Mr. Mtambo,don’t speak as a stupid person,where were u when cid officer was short dead in bt by robbers,mr. Mtambo where were u when the police officer was short dead at central round bound in Lilongwe.
Whom do u speak for?please u must find yourself a place to live not on this earth.
Iwenso Mtambo umatikwana bwanji? Mwina let the armed roobers comew to your house to understand the ferocity of armed robbery and the trauma it leaves on victims. Ife we dont care about ur human rights we need security and if security will be achieved with a shoot-to-kill policy let it be. Zauchisiru zakozo ife ayi. Tatopa nawe tsono.
The intelligence sources from world renown bodies in the field indicates that Mtambo and other groups are behind those organised mafia type gangs with the purpose of tarnishing the image of the incumbent president and his administration after unsuccessful attempt to convince the international organisation on Malawi human right records. It is for this purpose is coming out clear to convince the global village that his interest is human right. In actual sense, he is using human right as pretext to shield his strategy. Mr IG please watch that boy. He is a threat to nation security.
Emotions aside, the shoot-to-kill only smacks of a police service without comprehensive security measures. Let’s get down to the root cause of high crime rates in the country before applauding the trigger happy police.