There is only one unconfirmed mention of demonstrations and/or strikes protesting the arrest, trial and death sentence of Orton Chirwa in the sources regularly consulted by the IRBDC although there is a great deal of literature on the subject. According to Africa Contemporary Record 1983-84 , "One commentator reported that there had been large demonstrations in support of Chirwa and Mafremo during the treason trial" (Legum 1985, B653). This information is refuted, however, by
reports from diplomatic and other reliable sources inside the country [which] said that there had been no such demonstrations and that the trial and its result had been greeted with a show of public apathy (Ibid., pp. B653-54).

Two sources regularly consulted by the IRBDC report that, in the early 1980s, "While strikes are legally permitted none has occurred" (Kurian 1987, 1248) and "Strikes are not legally prohibited but rarely occur, and when they do they are not publicized" (Country Reports 1983 1984, 221).

Reports from Malawi in the past few months indicate that strikes are taking place at the present time and being put down with violence (see attached reports).

Agence France Presse (AFP). 29 April 1992. "L'université fermée pour une durée indeterminée et libération de syndicalistes." (NEXIS)

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 18 July 1992. "Malawi: About 200 People Reportedly Arrested over Multi-partyism Pamphlets." (NEXIS)

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1983. 1984. U.S. Department of State. Washington: Government Printing Office.

Kurian, George Thomas, ed. 1987. Encyclopedia of the Third World. Vol II. 3rd ed. New York: Facts on File, Inc.

Legum, Colin, ed. 1985 Africa Contemporary Record: Annual Survey and Documents 1983-84. New York: Africana Publishing Company.

The Washington Post. 14 May 1992. Keith B. Richburg, "West Suspends Most Aid to Malawi Regime; Rights Record, Absence of 'Basic Freedoms' Form Basis for Action." (NEXIS)

Agence France Presse (AFP). 29 April 1992. "L'université fermée pour une durée indeterminée et libération de syndicalistes." (NEXIS)

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 18 July 1992. "Malawi: About 200 People Reportedly Arrested over Multi-partyism Pamphlets." (NEXIS)

Legum, Colin, ed. 1985 Africa Contemporary Record: Annual Survey and Documents 1983-84. New York: Africana Publishing Company.

The Washington Post. 14 May 1992. Keith B. Richburg, "West Suspends Most Aid to Malawi Regime; Rights Record, Absence of 'Basic Freedoms' Form Basis for Action." (NEXIS)