Country Programs Manager for Irish Rule of Law International, Susie Kiely, has urged the Malawi Government to strengthen financial support towards the judicial system, arguing that overreliance on donor funding for human rights interventions continues to compromise the sector’s independence.

Kiely made the call on Monday at Matchaya Prison in Kasungu, during an early commemoration of International Human Rights Day, organized by the Paralegal Advisory Service Institute (PASI) with support from Irish Rule of Law.

She argued that excessive donor dominance in Malawi’s criminal justice sector limits the ability of key actors to operate independently, as it becomes difficult for them to address issues that fall outside donor funded priorities.

“The judiciary and criminal justice actors need to have the freedom to speak and act beyond donor expectations. This can only happen when government increases domestic financing to the sector,” said Kiely.

Meanwhile, Second Grade Magistrate Samuel Chakudza has also warned against prolonged remand of suspects, saying it fuels prison congestion and violates prisoner rights, while the judiciary remains committed to speeding up cases.

Chakudza further cautioned some police prosecutors over allegations of deceiving and coercing suspects to plead guilty in court as a means of fulfilling personal agendas, an act he described as unlawful.

“Only the court has the mandate to examine facts based on evidence gathered. Therefore, suspects should not be deceived or pressured by police to plead guilty for personal gain. Such conduct is completely unacceptable,” he said.

Central Region PASI Team Leader, Alfred Munika, described the alleged malpractice as a hindrance to the promotion of human rights and announced that PASI will initiate an investigation into the matter.

This year’s commemoration at Matchaya Prison took place two days before the global observance on December 10. Malawi joins the rest of the world in marking International Human Rights Day, held under the theme “Human Rights – Our Everyday Essentials.”