National Advocacy Platform (NAP) has called on government to immediately conclude compensation processes for families of the 20 people killed during the nationwide demonstrations of 20 July 2011. NAP said 15 years of waiting amounts to “justice denied.” In a statement signed by NAP Chairperson Benedicto Kondowe and National Coordinator Baxton Nkhoma, the platform joined Malawians in solemn remembrance of the 20 citizens. Benedicto Kondowe The group described them as “Martyrs” whose sacrifice remains one of the most painful chapters in Malawi’s democratic history. “Their Sacrifice Must Never Be Forgotten. Their Legacy Must Never Be Betrayed,” the statement read. NAP said while no amount of compensation can replace a loved one, timely and adequate reparations are both a constitutional responsibility and a moral imperative. “Justice delayed is justice denied. Fifteen years after this national tragedy, NAP calls upon the Government to conclude all outstanding processes relating to compensation for the families of the twenty victims and all those who sustained injuries during the demonstrations,” it stated. The platform urged that the legacy of the victims must not be confined to annual speeches or ceremonial wreaths. It said the legacy must be reflected in stronger democratic institutions, greater accountability, responsive leadership, and protection of the rights and freedoms of every Malawian. NAP called upon all leaders, public institutions and citizens to recommit to the ideals for which the twenty Malawians gave their lives. These include justice, accountability, respect for the rule of law, tolerance, dialogue and peaceful democratic participation. “Fifteen years later, Malawi must ask itself a difficult but necessary question: Have we truly honoured their sacrifice?” the statement said. “We honour them not by looking back with sorrow, but by moving forward with purpose—building a nation where citizens are heard, institutions are trusted, leaders are accountable and disputes are resolved through dialogue rather than violence.” NAP added that the greatest tribute to the Twenty Martyrs would be to ensure that never again shall a Malawian lose his or her life for peacefully demanding justice, accountability, human dignity and good governance. “Their sacrifice must remain the conscience of our democracy and the compass that guides our nation.” Post navigation Chaudhry, Lawyer, Land Officers Accused of Collusion in Property Transfer Exposed: Chaudhry Makes Multiple Fraudulent Land Transfers