A JUSTICE and peace commission formed by Malawi’s Roman Catholic church on Monday protested at what it described as an increase in “state-sponsored violence” aimed at silencing critics of the government. The condemnation came in the wake of church claims that activists of the ruling United Democratic Front, who call themselves “young democrats”, last month attacked and harassed Roman Catholics holding a fundraising walk. The church has an influential voice in the southern African country. “We are convinced state-sponsored violence is aimed at instilling fear in people so that they do not question government policies and other issues of national concern,” the commission said. Buleya said that one of the militants, apprehended by church members, “confessed that they were young democrats sent by UDF party heavyweights” to cause trouble during the walk. – AFP