Malawi’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is underway today, and human rights groups are calling on the government to translate its international commitments into meaningful domestic action, particularly in relation to laws affecting the LGBTQI+ community.
At a Diversity Forum meeting held in Dedza, National Coordinator Dunker Kamba delivered a strong message on the need for genuine legal and policy reform.
The meeting formed part of a preliminary scorecard engagement process conducted through a consultant, which will be followed by a full public dissemination. The scorecard is supported by the Urgent Action Fund.
“We’ve seen some progress here and there, but the devil is really in the details,” Kamba said. “Some of the laws in our Penal Code remain outdated and problematic. If we’re serious about human rights, then these laws must go.”
Kamba noted several concerns ahead of the UPR.
“Since we are late with implementation, our biggest concern is the absence of wider consultation before the UPR,” he said. “There has been a lack of wide and open sharing of the national report before the review. That defeats the purpose of inclusivity and transparency.”
The consultation gap was a recurring issue raised at the meeting. Participants also noted that although CHRR and CEDEP had been invited to engage in earlier processes, the government’s approach remained narrow and selective.
Kamba stressed that Malawi’s commitments to protecting LGBTQI+ persons must be backed by real action rather than symbolic gestures.
“As a country, we cannot commit to protecting LGBTQI+ persons at the UPR and then come back home and do the opposite,” he said. “We need to walk the talk. Transgender Malawians and others in the LGBTQI+ community continue to face stigma, discrimination, and even violence. That is unacceptable.”
He further criticized what he described as double standards in government action.
“The government cannot keep reneging on its promises,” Kamba emphasized. “Malawi must show that it values the dignity of all its citizens, not just on paper, but in practice.”
On punitive legal provisions, Kamba was firm:
“We still see people being arrested under draconian laws that belong in another era,” he said. “These laws are not only oppressive, they actively endanger the lives and safety of key populations.”
He added that political will remains the decisive factor.
“The government must demonstrate real commitment. Aligning our laws with human rights standards is not optional, it is our obligation,” Kamba said. “Promises are no longer enough. Malawians deserve real action, not lip service.”
Aniz Mitha, Executive Director for Community Health Rights Advocacy, added that Malawi risks falling behind if it does not implement UPR recommendations with urgency.
“It’s high time Malawi stepped up its game,” Mitha said. “People continue to be arrested under draconian laws, and it feels like we are stuck in the past. The government needs to reform these laws and align them with international human rights standards.”
On the UPR process itself, she added: “The UPR is a valuable platform for Malawi to showcase its commitment to human rights, but at the end of the day, it is about taking concrete action. The people of Malawi deserve better than repeated promises.”
As Malawi’s review continues in Geneva, the Diversity Forum is urging the government to seize this moment to demonstrate that human rights protection for all citizens, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, is a true national priority.
