Center for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance - Chreaa

06/09/2026

From prison walls to university halls, this is rehabilitation in action.

Father Msowoya’s journey shows that prison can be a place of transformation, not just punishment.

Read more:
https://times.mw/from-congested-cells-to-university-corridors/

28/08/2026

CHREAA PARTICIPATES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE REVIEW MEETING

The Center for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance - Chreaa has participated in a review meeting on the implementation of plea bargaining and recommendations from the 2024 Criminal Justice Conference.

CHREAA Executive Director Victor Chagunyuka Mhango represented the organisation at the meeting held at Sunbird Capital Hotel in Lilongwe today.

The meeting was organised by the Judiciary through the Plea Bargaining Implementation Task Team and was chaired by Hon. Justice G. Gondwe, Chairperson of the Task Team. The Chief Justice, Hon. Justice R.R. Mzikamanda, SC, delivered the opening and closing remarks.

The meeting reviewed the recent plea bargaining session at Zomba Central Prison and discussed key areas of criminal justice reform, including reducing case delays, protecting the rights of accused persons, improving prison rehabilitation, strengthening access to justice, and following up on recommendations from the 2024 Criminal Justice Conference.

21/08/2026

20/08/2026

The Center for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance - Chreaa Executive Director Victor Chagunyuka Mhango officially hands over the report "Malawi Prisons: A Report of the Study on the Food Provision Process" to Hon. Monica Chang'anamuno, Chairperson of Parliament's Defence and Security Committee, at President Hotel, Lilongwe.

20/08/2026

The Center for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance - Chreaa, in partnership with the Malawi Inspectorate of Prisons and Irish Rule of Law International, today launches a report on food provision in Malawi's prisons titled "Malawi Prisons: A Report of the Study on the Food Provision Process," at President Hotel, Lilongwe.

The study, conducted between December 2024 and April 2025, covered 27 of the country's 28 prisons. It found that of 16,237 inmates nationwide, 702 are severely undernourished. Most prisoners receive only one meal a day of nsima with beans, and some prisons had no food stocks at all at the time of visit.

The launch brings together key stakeholders, including the Malawi Legal Aid Bureau, Malawi Human Rights Commission, Malawi Prisons Service, a Ministry of Health nutritnist, and Hon. Monica Chang'anamuno, Chairperson of Parliament's Defence and Security Committee, to review the findings and discuss implementation of the report's recommendations.

Access to adequate food is a fundamental right, including for those in custody. CHREAA looks forward to continued engagement with stakeholders to advance these reforms.

20/08/2026

12/08/2026

CHREAA DONATES PRINTER TO BLANTYRE (CHICHIRI) PRISON TO SUPPORT EDUCATION PROGRAMMES

The Center for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance - Chreaa has donated a Canon heavy-duty printer to Blantyre (Chichiri) Prison to support the institution’s education programmes.

The printer, donated on 10th August 2026, is expected to ease challenges faced by the prison’s Education Department in printing examination papers and other learning materials.

The department previously relied on a small printer, which was inadequate for the volume of materials required, particularly during examinations.

Speaking on behalf of the Officer-in-Charge during the handover ceremony, Superintendent Dave Likhatho thanked CHREAA for the donation and urged the Education Department to take ownership of the equipment and ensure its proper maintenance.

Education Coordinator Inspector Jameson Piringu said the printer would benefit the entire facility, as other departments would also be able to use it for printing and photocopying services.

CHREAA Executive Director Victor Chagunyuka Mhango said the donation reflects the organisation’s belief that education and rehabilitation can contribute to the successful reintegration of people released from correctional facilities.

Mhango said CHREAA also intends to extend similar support to other correctional facilities in Malawi, subject to the availability of resources.

The donation is part of efforts to strengthen access to education and support rehabilitation within Malawi’s correctional facilities.

10/08/2026

Court Users Committee Tackles Delays in Criminal Justice System

On 7th August 2026, the Center for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance, with support from Irish Rule of Law International, supported the quarterly Court Users Committee (CUC) meeting for the Southern and South Eastern Regions held at the High Court in Blantyre.

The meeting was chaired by Honourable Justice John Mashikizo Chirwa, Judge President of the High Court and Judge in Charge of the Criminal Division, and brought together key stakeholders in the justice sector, including Malawi Judiciary, Malawi Police Service, Malawi Prisons Service, Malawi Legal Aid Bureau, Malawi Law Society, State Advocate Chambers, Paralegal Advisory Service Institute -PASI, Chreaa Malawi and the District Social Welfare Office.

The Committee discussed critical challenges affecting the delivery of justice, including delays in homicide trials, sentence confirmation backlogs, funding constraints, gaps in coordination, and limited access to legal representation.

In her remarks, Honourable Justice Ruth Chinangwa emphasised the need for a mindset change among duty bearers, calling on stakeholders to place people at the centre of the justice system and uphold fairness, integrity and accountability in their work.

CHREAA Executive Director Victor Chagunyuka Mhango described the meeting as timely and important, particularly in addressing delays in serious criminal cases. He noted that stakeholders agreed on practical measures and timelines to resolve the identified challenges within a reasonable period.

Irish Rule of Law International Malawi highlighted the importance of continued collaboration among justice sector institutions in identifying systemic challenges and implementing sustainable solutions.

Court Users Committees play a critical role in strengthening coordination, promoting accountability and enhancing access to justice by providing a platform for stakeholders to collectively review challenges and agree on practical solutions.

24/07/2026

Home Malawi Stories Finding Confidence, Finding A Voice: How Human Rights Awareness Is Helping Young People Seek Dignity, Safety and Opportunity Finding Confidence, Finding A Voice: How Human Rights Awareness is Helping Young People Seek Dignity, Safety and Opportunity July 14, 2026 ►Listen Janet ...