36th Universal Periodic Review: UK statement on Malawi

Thank you Madam President,

The United Kingdom commends the Government of Malawi for the steps it has taken to implement the Access to Information Act, and acknowledges advances in media freedom.

The UK welcomes the draft Malawi Prisons Bill but remains concerned by reports of severe overcrowding and poor sanitation in prisons. We are also concerned that Malawi remains a source, transit and destination country for people subjected to trafficking.

We recommend that Malawi:

1. Intensifies efforts to combat modern slavery, through training, improved co-ordination between law enforcement agencies, and prosecution of traffickers;

2. Adopts an open, merit-based process when selecting national candidates for UN Treaty Body elections; and

3. Passes the Malawi Prison Bill into law and reduces overcrowding in prisons by increasing capacity and the use of non-custodial sentences.

Thank you.