U S State Department

MALAWI 2016 HUMAN RIGHTS Report U S State Department

Malawi is a multiparty democracy. Constitutional power is shared between the president and the 193 National Assembly members. The 2014 elections for president, parliament, and local councils were characterized by international observers as free, transparent, and credible. Civilian authorities maintained effective control over the security forces. The most significant human rights problems in the country included unlawful police killings; excessive use of force, including torture by security officers; and sexual exploitation of children, including early and forced marriage.