By Our Staff Reporter
The Human Rights Defenders Coalition has rejected a warning from the Malawi Police Service and reaffirmed that it will go ahead with planned peaceful demonstrations and a road shutdown on 1 July 2026.
In a statement released on 27 June 2026 from Lilongwe, HRDC said it had taken note of the police caution against the planned action over the deteriorating Karonga-Chiweta Road.
The coalition described the demonstrations as a peaceful exercise of the constitutional rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
HRDC stressed that those rights are guaranteed under the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi and form a core pillar of the country’s democratic order.
The group said it has complied with the law by formally notifying the Rumphi District Council and the Malawi Police Service of its intention to protest.
According to HRDC, Malawian law requires organisers to notify authorities, not to seek permission or authorisation to demonstrate.
It explained that the notification process exists to enable police to make appropriate security arrangements and to facilitate the peaceful exercise of constitutional rights.
“Malawi is a constitutional democracy, not a police state,” the statement read.
HRDC argued that the exercise of fundamental freedoms cannot be left to the unfettered discretion of any public authority.
The coalition said the role of the Malawi Police Service is to uphold the Constitution by protecting both public order and the constitutional rights of citizens.
While acknowledging the police mandate to maintain peace and security, HRDC reminded officers that their duty also extends to facilitating peaceful assemblies.
It said police should not prohibit lawful demonstrations simply because they may inconvenience those in authority.
Instead, HRDC said, the responsibility of police is to ensure that such demonstrations are conducted peacefully and safely.
The group added that it remains open to genuine engagement with relevant authorities if the talks are aimed at addressing the substantive concerns behind the protests.
However, HRDC cautioned that dialogue should not be used as a substitute for concrete action to repair the Karonga-Chiweta Road.
The standoff sets up a direct test of how Malawi balances public order with constitutionally protected freedoms as 1 July approaches.
