The Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has called for stronger legal protection of environmental rights, saying vulnerable communities are disproportionately affected by climate change.

Speaking during a media engagement on climate and environmental justice in Lilongwe on Monday, MHRC Executive Secretary, Habiba Osman, said the Commission has been monitoring climate and environmental issues, engaging communities through awareness and capacity-building programmes, and working to hold duty bearers accountable.

Osman said gaps remain in Malawi’s legal and policy framework, including the absence of an explicit constitutional right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

She has called for stronger integration of human rights, scientific evidence, due diligence and accountability into climate and environmental policies.

Meanwhile, Chief Technical Advisor of Law and Human Rights at UNDP Malawi, Rawland Cole, said climate change has severe impacts in Malawi, particularly on vulnerable groups, women and children, while also contributing to displacement and increasing inequalities.

Cole said climate and environmental justice should consider human rights, including the rights to life, health, housing and food, while ensuring equity, just solutions and redress for those most affected.

According to Cole, UNDP has supported the MHRC in monitoring policy gaps, with a comprehensive assessment currently underway.

Aspolo Mousah – Staff Reporter, Lilongwe