LILONGWE, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 (CISA) – The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) has publicly endorsed the Malawi Law Society’s demonstration, scheduled for September 12, 2024, to push for the enactment of the Judicial Reforms Bills.
The CCJP emphasized that these reforms are crucial to improving transparency, accountability, and efficiency within Malawi’s judiciary. The commission has long advocated for changes that will protect the marginalized and ensure a more equitable legal system.
“We advocate for reforms that would make the judicial system more accessible, fair, and efficient while emphasizing the need for transparency in judicial proceedings and accountability mechanisms to prevent corruption and the abuse of power,” the CCJP stated.
The CCJP’s call aligns with the concerns raised in the Pastoral Letter of the Catholic Bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), released on February 25, 2024, titled ‘The Sad Story of Malawi’. The letter decried the deteriorating integrity of the judiciary, highlighting rampant corruption and partisanship within the judicial ranks.
“The Judiciary appears to have abandoned its integrity and has embroiled itself in corruption and partisanship. The price of judges and magistrates is no longer taboo: it’s an open secret that some lawyers thrive by bribing judges and magistrates to defeat the ends of justice,” said the CCJP.
The commission pointed to the growing public frustration with the lack of judicial accountability. They reiterated the bishops’ claims that some judges and magistrates are unaccountable and are even rewarded despite their inefficiency and involvement in corruption.
“Some judges and magistrates are accountable to no one. They take years to hear a case, yet the Judiciary does nothing to discipline them. Instead, they are rewarded with promotion,” the CCJP echoed, underscoring the need for judicial reform.
According to the CCJP, delays by the government in passing the Judicial Reforms Bills have only worsened the situation. They argue that the reforms are critical in restoring public trust in Malawi’s legal system, which has been severely undermined by the judiciary’s current state.
“We believe that the delay by the government machinery is frustrating efforts to put in place a law that properly regulates the judiciary, a law that is critical to restoring public trust in Malawi’s judicial system,” the statement reads.
The commission stressed that judicial reforms would be instrumental in eradicating corruption and promoting the rule of law in Malawi. These reforms, they assert, are the foundation of a just and accountable society, and the delay in enacting them perpetuates injustice.
“This law deserves our full support because a solid legal system is the backbone of any country that wants to eliminate corruption and promote the rule of law,” the CCJP emphasized.
In solidarity with the Malawi Law Society, the CCJP has fully supported the demonstration and urged all Malawians, civil society organizations, and concerned citizens to take part. The CCJP stressed the importance of collective action in addressing the issues facing the judiciary.
They called for the active participation of citizens in pushing for reforms that would ensure that justice is served for all in Malawi. The commission emphasized that the enactment of the Judicial Reforms Bills is a crucial step in restoring the independence, transparency, and integrity of the judiciary in Malawi.
