The whole body of prisoners, both remandees and convicted, have always appreciated their professional conduct in handling of cases

Chichiri prisoners

The inmates of Chichiri prison have signed and sent a petition to the Ministry of Justice asking President Bakili Muluzi not to sack the judges.

Parliament voted to dismiss the judges who have been criticised by members of the ruling party over a range of issues.

In the hand-written petition smuggled out by civil rights activists, the prisoners described them as "among some of the most competent judges" the prisoners had come across.

It is believed that some of the prisoners are serving jail terms handed down by the judges themselves.

Prisoner plea

Parliamentarians from the ruling United Democratic Front, UDF, moved a motion in parliament to impeach judges Dunstain Mwaungulu, George Chimasula Phiri and Anaclet Chipeta.

The judges are accused of bias towards the opposition.

But there are suspicions that the government is trying to install new judges more likely to allow the constitution to be changed, enabling Mr Muluzi to run for a third term of office in 2004.

The prisoners' petition accused parliament of removing "competence and professionalism" from the Malawi's judicial system.

"We consider the development as barbaric and unacceptable," reads the petition, copies of which were sent to foreign embassies and the Malawi Human Rights Commission.

"The whole body of prisoners, both remandees and convicted, have always appreciated their professional conduct in handling of cases."

Formal apology

The prisoners have demanded the withdrawal of the impeachment resolution and a formal apology from parliament to the judiciary.

Meanwhile, the High Court has scaled down all activity since the impeachment as the judges await the president's decision on their fate.

The Magistrates and Judges Association of Malawi, which has threatened to close all courts if the judges are dismissed, has also petitioned the president to ignore parliament's decision.

The International Commission of Jurists has also joined the fray in urging President Muluzi not to fire the judges.