Deadly anti-government protests in Malawi condemned by UN
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map of Malawi
The reported killing of several protestors in Malawi last week by government forces has the UN Human Rights chief demanding a stop to violence.
Anti-government demonstrators have been calling for greater freedoms and human rights as well as demonstrating against shortages of fuel and foreign exchange.
Ravina Shamdasani from the Office UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, OHCHR, says there needs to be an investigation into reports of human rights violations.
"We're extremely worried about reports of the arrests of large numbers of people during the demonstrations, and death threats against the several leaders of the protests following the President's announcement via radio that eight people he specifically named would be arrested. We urge the government to cease the use of mass arrests and threats to silence opponents." (Duration: 19″)
Shamdasani says her office is also concerned about reports the government is targeting journalists and shutting down news and social media websites.
