Benedicto Kondowe

Cases

Relevant SG report

From Country

Country Geolocation

Latitude: -13.254308

Longitude: 34.301525

From Region

UN body that raised the case prior to the SG report

Individual's/organization's activity: Executive Director of the Civil Society Coalition on Quality Basic Education

Type of rights defended

Was the victim a civil servant, member of the security forces or of the judiciary?: No

Reported trigger of reprisal: alerting the police and international bodies, such as United Nations agencies and international diplomatic missions, about the visit to his office by three unidentified men

Engagement with UN body

Type of attempted engagement

Reprisal information: On 21 April 2011, after three unknown men tried to locate Mr. Kondowe at his office and enquired about his whereabouts when they did not find him there, Mr. Kondowe reportedly received a phone call from an unknown man. The caller allegedly informed Mr. Kondowe that alerting the police and international bodies, such as United Nations agencies and international diplomatic missions, about the visit to his office by three unidentified men was not clever and such a move would not guarantee his safety.

On 23 April 2011, Mr. Kondowe received another phone call from an unidentified man who advised him to leave the country. The caller allegedly stated that if Mr. Kondowe did not flee the country, he would pay for having publicly challenged the Government.

Types of reprisals suffered

Does the report make general comment about country’s environment for engagement with UN?: No

Further case development: At the time of completion of the report, the Government of Malawi had not replied to the communication.

Is the country cited for a "pattern of reprisal" in the context of this case?: No

Is a pattern of reprisals mentioned otherwise in the context of this case?: No

Does the report cite "self-censorship" as an issue in the context of this case?: No

Follow up information provided in SG report 0

The threats against Benedicto Kondowe, Executive Director of the Civil Society Coalition on Quality Basic Education, referred to in my 2011 report (A/HRC/18/19, paras. 49-56), have allegedly continued. According to information received, Mr. Kondowe had received another anonymous phone call asking why he was exposing the shortfalls of the Government. Several special procedures sent a follow-up communication regarding the case on 5 August 2011 (A/HRC/19/44, p. 54).The Government submitted a written acknowledgment of the communication on 9 August 2011. However,at the time of the completion of the present report, the Government has not provided any information in relation to the case.