The Chilungamo Program Phase 1 came to an end on 31^st January 2023. The handover ceremony took place on Wednesday, 25^th January, 2023 at BICC where The Minster of Justice hosted the function. The Theme for the ceremony was ‘Improving Access to Justice and Accountability for the Poor and Vulnerable People in Malawi”.

The ceremony, which was also attended by The Chief Justice, Rezin Mzikamanda, The EU head of delegation, Jutta Urpilainen, Chilungamo Program Team Leader, Sophie Racine, among others marked the handing over of the Chilungamo –Justice and Accountability program to the Malawi Government through its beneficiaries. Speaking at the function, Mr. Richard Santhe, The Imprest Administrator at the Chilungamo Project emphasized on Malawi government owning the project to ensure sustainability.

The following are some off the interventions that the program has delivered;

• Facilitated the release of nearly 5,000 inmates from prisons through camp courts and a review and analysis of court orders.
• Supported the Malawi Human Rights Commission in its assessment and evaluation of the adherence to human rights standards in prisons. Several recommendations were made to the authorities to address the issues.
• Handled 6,100 cases of gender-based violence.
• Supported the Malawi Human Rights Commission in handling 160 cases out of their annual target of 225, which corresponds to 71 percent achievement at mid-point level.
• Assisted the Office of the Ombudsman in releasing a systemic investigations report—an investigation of allegations of hospital negligence. The office has commenced another systemic investigation on the allegations of abuse and misuse of local and constituency development funds in all district councils.
• Supported the Office of the Ombudsman in handling 549 cases of maladministration.
• Supported the Anti-Corruption Bureau with the development of a Strategic Plan for 2019-2024.
• Organized rallies with mobile accountability clinics in the target districts. Mobile accountability clinics are platforms for empowering citizens and communities, receiving complaints, carrying out follow-up investigations, and holding duty bearers accountable. The clinics include public rallies and sensitization meetings with village development committees, with prompt investigation and sensitization meetings with district-level bureaucrats relating to complaints and concerns raised. About 17,000 people have been reached through public rallies and brochures.
• Resolved 575 mobile court cases.
• Assisted the Legal Aid Bureau in handling 782 legal aid cases.
• Boosted the efficiency of the Human Rights Section at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
• Prepared a functional review report on prisons to improve coordination within the criminal justice system. The report, which was approved by the Department of Human Resource Management and Development, validates the structure for the provision of community correction and reintegration services, which include functions such as community services and public works, probation services, parole, and compassionate release.
• Trained 55 police prosecutors, investigators, and victim support officers in DNA collection.
• Improved access to justice for vulnerable groups in both the formal and informal systems.
• Helped Victim Support Units to assist 11,851 victims.

The Beneficiaries also assured the EU that what has been imparted on them through the project will remain within their institutions and that will help them to sustain the program.

It was also emphasized that the collaboration and coordination within the criminal justice system that exist now is helping them to minimize cost of operations and making it quick to deliver justice to the citizens.

The Chilungamo Program started in 2017 by the European Union to contribute to dignified lives for Malawi citizens through an accountable government, informed democratic choice, and the humane and effective delivery of justice.

The Chilungamo (“justice”) project contributed to increased levels of governance, accountability, compliance with the rule of law, and respect, promotion, and protection of human rights in Malawi. The project worked to reduce the burden on the criminal justice system, coordinate the criminal justice system, reduce prison overcrowding, and increase access to justice for both victims and offenders.

The beneficiary institutions included; Ministry of Justice, National Initiative on Civic Education (NICE), National Registration Bureau (NRB) and Malawi prisons, Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC), Legal Aid Bureau, Office of the Ombudsman, The Malawi Police Service.