EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: AFR 36/34/92

Distr: UA/SC

15 July 1992

Further information on UA 114/92 (AFR 36/09/92, 6 April 1992) and follow-ups AFR 36/10/92 of 14 April 1992, AFR 36/13/92 of 30 April 1992, AFR 36/17/92 of 8 May 1992, AFR 36/19/92 of 12 May 1992, AFR 36/23/92 of 5 June 1992 and AFR 36/32/92 of 13 July 1992 - Legal concern/Fear of extrajudicial execution

MALAWI:Chakufwa CHIHANA, aged 52, international trade union official

Chakufwa Chihana, the trade union official released on bail by a Malawian court on 11 July 1992, has been rearrested by police who are apparently acting without lawful authority. Amnesty International is seriously concerned for his safety.

Chakufwa Chihana had been held for more than three months without charge when he was released on bail, charged on three counts connected with seditious publications. The publications included letters and speeches advocating a peaceful transition from one party to multi-party rule in Malawi. One of the conditions of his bail was that he reported every week to the police. He reported to Lilongwe police station at 2.30 pm on 14 July 1992 accompanied by his wife, who was told to wait outside. Twenty minutes later a police official told Mrs Chihana to go home. He said that Chakufwa Chihana was being taken to Zomba. However, police in Zomba later claimed no knowledge of his whereabouts. He has not been seen since.

Amnesty International has grave fears for Chakufwa Chihana's safety. Life-President Dr H. Kamuzu Banda threatened recently that returning exiled politicians would be "meat for crocodiles" and a number of political killings by the Malawian security forces have been documented. In the present climate of rising support for political change, elements of the security forces appear to be organizing semi-official paramilitary groups and there are fears that these may resort to extrajudicial executions.

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

- expressing deep concern at the rearrest of Chakufwa Chihana, apparently in defiance of a court ruling granting him bail;

- requesting information about his present whereabouts and the legal basis for his imprisonment;

- calling for him to be released immediately and unconditionally and requesting assurances that the Malawi Government will guarantee his safety.

APPEALS TO:

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

Office of the President and Cabinet

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

Salutation: Your Excellency

2) Hon. J Z U Tembo

Minister of State in the Office of the President

P/Bag 301

Lilongwe 3

Malawi

Telegrams:Minister of State Tembo, Lilongwe, Malawi

Salutation: Dear Minister

3) Mr MacWilliam Lunguzi

Inspector-General of Police

P/Bag 305

Lilongwe 3

Malawi

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

Salutation: Dear Sir

COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:

Southern Africa Trade Union Co-ordination Council

PO Box 1271

Lilongwe

Malawi

The Editor

The Weekly Post

Private Bag EF 352

Lusaka

Zambia

The Editor

The Weekend Gazette

PO Box 66070

Harare

Zimbabwe

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 26 August 1992.