EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: AFR 36/27/92

Distr: UA/SC

3 July 1992

Further information on UA 141/92 (AFR 36/16/92, 6 May 1992) - and follow-up AFR 36/18/92, 12 May 1992 - Legal concern/health concern (note new concern)

MALAWI:Gift KAUNDA, presbyterian church elder

Chiyenda MKANDAWIRE, presbyterian church elder

and new name:Jairos BEZA, presbyterian church elder

Gift Kaunda, a presbyterian church elder arrested on 30 April 1992, is still detained without charge at Maula Prison, Lilongwe, and is reported to be suffering from malaria. It is feared that he is not receiving adequate medical attention and may not even be receiving the drugs being provided for him by his family. Amnesty International considers that he is a prisoner of conscience and is calling for his immediate and unconditional release. The organization is also calling for him to receive adequate medical care without delay.

Gift Kaunda was arrested apparently because he was alleged to have criticized the government in an Easter sermon. Gift Kaunda is aged about 48. He is a farmer and an elder in the Mzuzu congregation of the Church of Central Africa, Presbyterian (CCAP).

Amnesty International has learned that another presbyterian elder from Mzuzu, Jairos Beza, was also arrested at about the end of April and remains detained without charge at Maula Prison. He is apparently held in reprisal for sermons preached by Gift Kaunda and the minister of the Mzuzu congregation, Reverend Aaron Longwe. Jairos Beza, also aged about 48, is an employee of Mzuzu City Council.

Amnesty International has learned that Chiyenda Mkandawire, also an elder in the CCAP in Mzuzu, has been released without charge. He too had been detained after a sermon preached by Rev. Longwe.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes and airmail letters

- welcoming the release of Chiyenda Mkandawire, but expressing concern at the continuing detention without charge of Gift Kaunda and Jairos Beza;

- seeking assurances that they are being properly treated and in particular that Gift Kaunda is receiving adequate medical attention, including access to a medical practitioner of his choice;

- calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Gift Kaunda and Jairos Beza, who appear to be detained solely for non-violent expression of their religious or political opinions.

Page 2 of 2FU 141/92

APPEALS TO:

1) H E The Life-President Ngwazi Dr H. Kamuzu Banda

Office of the President and CabinetSalutation: Your Excellency

P/Bag 301

Lilongwe 3

Malawi

Telegrams:Life-President Banda Lilongwe, Malawi

Telexes:44389 PRES MI; 44766 JUSTICE MI;

44113 EXTERNAL MI

Faxes:+ 265 731878

2) Hon. J Z U Tembo

Minister of State in the Office of the President Salutation: Dear Minister P/Bag 301

Lilongwe 3

Malawi

Telegrams:Minister of State Tembo, Lilongwe, Malawi

3) Mr MacWilliam Lunguzi

Inspector-General of Police Salutation: Dear Sir

P/Bag 305

Lilongwe 3

Malawi

Telegrams:Inspector-General of Police Lunguzi, Lilongwe, Malawi

COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:

The General Secretary

Church of Central Africa (Presbyterian)

Livingstonia Synod

PO Box 112

Mzuzu

Malawi

World Alliance of Reformed Churches

150 Route de Ferney

1211 Geneva 2

Switzerland

and to diplomatic representatives of MALAWI in your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 14 August 1992.