Sadly, the majority of countries in Africa continue to have a system that does not value human life.
Seemingly, our leaders are inhumane and despostic and our military are best at eating pepper soup, being at tombola nights and using their might on innocent and unarmed civilians.
There can’t be peace without justice.
Even in the midst of chaos, we still need peace to enable us face the real issues at hand.
In a civilized Country, the people's rights are respected.
Why can’t the rest of Africa try what ostensibly is working in Malawi?
Everyone has the right to associate with others and gather together for a common purpose.
As such, it lets us protest peacefully, join trade unions and hold the powerful to account.
The freedom of expression, closely linked to the freedom of assembly, applies to protests, marches and demonstrations, counter-demonstrations, press conferences, public and private meetings and more – but it does not protect intentionally violent protest.
The State can’t interfere with your right to protest just because it disagrees with protesters’ views, because it’s likely to be inconvenient and cause a nuisance or because there might be tension and heated exchange between opposing groups.
Instead it must take reasonable steps to enable you to protest and to protect participants in peaceful demonstrations from disruption by others.
However, the right to protest and freedom of association can be limited in certain circumstances, inter alia:
- the interests of national security or public safety
- the prevention of disorder or crime
- the protection of health or morals
- the protection of others’ rights and freedoms
etc etc etc
It’s not necessarily a breach of protest rights if authorities require you to give notice of plans in advance, as long as notification doesn’t become an obstacle to free assembly.
Lawful restrictions (not arbitrary or politically motivated) can be placed by law enforcement outfits but must be backed up by convincing and compelling reasoning based on public law and order for the overall protection of security and safety for ALL.
Once again, I am just playing the devil’s advocate in a bid to stimulate healthy and meaningful exchanges.
Let the reader therefore understand!!!!!