Loud Call. The Malawi Human Rights Commission needs one commissioner to be from the LGBTIQ+community, privately-owned Nation Newspaper has reported
Civil Society Organisations advocating for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ+) individuals have urged the inclusion of at least one Commissioner representing the queer community in the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC).
Privately-owned Nation Newspaper has quoted a letter addressed to the commission, ion which the CSOs have expressed their recognition and appreciation for the MHRC's ongoing dedication to promoting and safeguarding the rights of all individuals in Malawi.
The CSOs involved include the Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP), Community Health Rights and Advocacy (CHeRA), Nyasa Rainbow Alliance (NRA), Social Justice Foundation (SJF), Angaza Foundation, and Optimum Foundation.
It reads: “While we recognise the importance of ensuring representation of other vulnerable and marginalised communities, we respectfully submit that the current appointments present a timely opportunity to address the long standing absence of LGBTIQ+ representation within the Commission.
“Addressing this gap would reinforce the Commission's commitment to ensuring that no community is excluded from the leadership of a national institution mandated to promote and protect the human rights of all people.”
In a notice dated May 15, 2026, co-signed by Law Commissioner Rosemary Kanyuka and Ombudsman Grace Malera, the MHRC announced a call for public nominations to fill forthcoming vacancies, indicating the transition to its ninth cohort of commissioners.