LILONGWE / GENEVA (18 June 2012 – The United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Kyung-wha Kang, on Monday begins a four-day mission to Malawi to discuss a wide range of human rights issues with President Joyce Banda and other stakeholders in the country.

This will be the first visit to Malawi by a senior UN human rights official. In addition to meeting President Banda during her visit, Ms. Kang will hold talks with a number of senior Government officials, including several ministers, as well as the parliamentary leadership, the Malawi Human Rights Commission, civil society organizations and UN agencies.

“This is a pivotal moment towards a great transition for Malawi,” Ms. Kang said ahead of the visit. “The UN Human Rights office is looking forward to engaging with the Government and civil society in the country and we stand ready to support them in improving the enjoyment of human rights for all.”

At the end of her visit, on Thursday 21 June at 10am, the Deputy High Commissioner will hold a press conference in the conference room of the UN Development Programme office in Block A of the UN premises.

Learn more about the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Kyung-wha Kang: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/AboutUs/Pages/DeputyHighCommissioner.aspx

UN Human Rights, Country Page – Malawi: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/AfricaRegion/Pages/MWIndex.aspx

For further information and media requests, please contact:
In Lilongwe:
Ravina Shamdasani (from 18 June - 21 June): +41 79 618 3430 or rshamdasani@ohchr.org
Shorai Nyambalo, UN Communication Officer: +2651770770 Cell: +265999563407 or snyambalo@unicef.org
In Geneva:
Rupert Colville, +41 22 917 9767 or rcolville@ohchr.org

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