Journalist Gregory Gondwe has gone into hiding following his investigative report on the Malawi Defense Force’s dealings with a businessman who is under investigation for corruption. Following the publication of his report on January 29, Gregory Gondwe was alerted by “top government officials” that the Malawi Defense Force intended to arrest him for “endangering state security and detain him incommunicado unless he revealed his sources for the report. The Malawi authorities must guarantee and ensure the safety and security of Gregory Gondwe and other journalists in the country and respect, protect, promote, and fulfil the human rights of everyone including the right to freedom of expression and press freedom.
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- Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
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contact information:
President Lazarus Chakwera
Office of the President and Cabinet,
Capital Hill Circle,
Private Bag 301,
Capital City, Lilongwe 3, Malawi
Email: [email protected]
Embassy of Malawi in the United States
Her Excellency Justice Esme Jynet Chombo
2408 Massachusetts Avenue,
NW, Washington DC 20008
Email: [email protected]
sample letter:
Dear His Excellency,
I am writing to you to express my concern about the safety and security of journalist Gregory Gondwe following the publication of his report in January 2024, detailing the Malawi Defense Force (MDF) and their alleged dealings with a businessman who is under investigation for corruption. The report details allegations of multi-million-dollar payments to the companies owned by the businessman for the procurement of military equipment. This report contradicts the announcement by government to cancel all contracts with companies associated with the businessman.
On January 31, Gregory Gondwe was informed by “top ranking officials” that the MDF intended to arrest him for “endangering state security” and detain him incommunicado unless he revealed his sources for the report. I am concerned that as a result, Gregory Gondwe has now gone into hiding, in fear of his life, safety and security, simply for doing his job as a journalist. In April 2022, he was detained by the police and questioned, with the police again demanding that he reveal his sources.
I urge you to ensure a prompt, thorough, independent, impartial, transparent, and effective investigation into the threats against Gregory Gondwe, and to bring those responsible to justice in fair trials. I also urge you to publicly condemn the harassment, intimidation, threats, and attacks against Gregory Gondwe and other journalists. Finally, I call on you to take effective measures to ensure that all journalists in the country can safely carry out their work without any fear of retaliation.
Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
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