The Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa launched its report on pre-trial detention in Malawi on 21-22 July 2011. The report found that time spent in police detention and on remand in prison by accused persons varies widely by area, and that subordinate courts tend not to meet the custody time limits imposed by the Malawi legislature. The report further found high exposure of the Malawi population to pre-trial detention and the continued application of outdated offences.
Demonstrators walk past Parliament, Lilongwe, 20 July 2011
The launch coincidentally took place against the background of widespread demonstrations against the Malawi government, accompanied by the use of force by the police and army. Jean Redpath presented the findings for the case flow management section of the report on behalf of the Community Law Centre of the University of the Western Cape, in partnership with Malawi’s Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation; the Centre for Human Rights, Education, Advice and Assistance; the Paralegal Advisory Service Institute, and the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace.