Intimidation of lawyers 'exacerbates' Malawi famine risk

The intimidation of lawyers and judges in Malawi is accelerating the onset of famine, according to an International Bar Association (IBA) report.

The IBA, which sent a delegation to Malawi to examine the position of lawyers and judges, also found 'damning evidence' of government corruption and abuse.

It reported that 'the urgent need to focus on good governance to restore the flow of funds is being jeopardised by interference in the independence of the judicial system and the media'.

Lawyers who criticised the government were blacklisted, and the delegation found 'credible allegations' of death threats and intimidation by vigilante groups.

A shortage of lawyers and judges has led to a chronic backlog in cases waiting to be heard, and almost no legal representation in rural areas.

This breakdown in law and order has led to aid agencies withholding developmental aid.

Malawi is facing the threat of a famine estimated to affect more than three million people.

Jonathan Lux, a partner in the Hamburg office of Ince & Co, was one of the delegates.

'We met judges and journalists who had been threatened for criticising the government, and coming from a civilised society like western Europe, you realise how lucky you are,' he said.

Victoria MacCallum