Lawyer Justin Kusamba Dzonzi has been elected chairperson of the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC).

This has been disclosed in a Press Statement released today November 20, 2015 by MHRC made available to FaceofMalawi.

According to the statement, Dzonzi has been appointed at the first Regular Meeting of the Commissioners, pursuant to section 6 (1) of the Human Rights Commission Act, (Chapter 3:08 of the Laws of Malawi).

“The 6thCohort of Commissioners of the Malawi Human Rights Commission was appointed by His Excellency the President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, pursuant to section 131 of the Republic of Malawi Constitution and section 4 of the Human Rights Commission Act, (Chapter 3:08 of the Laws of Malawi),” reads the statement in part.

Apart from Dzonzi, Mr. Baldwin Chiyamwaka, Mr. Benedicto Kondowe, Mr. Dalitso Kingsley Kubalasa, Mr. Steven Nkoka, Mrs. Bertha Sefu and Reverend Patrick Semphere have been appointed as commissioners of MHRC.

The statement further says the Law Commissioner and the Ombudsman are Commissioners of the Malawi Human Rights Commission by virtue of holding those respective offices.

The commissioners will serve for a three-year term of office up to August, 2018, in line with section 5(1), of the Human Rights Commission Act, (Chapter 3:08 of the Laws of Malawi).