Amnesty International (AI) has said that the recent violent repression of peaceful protests by the Mozambican police is a gross violation of people’s fundamental rights to protest and their freedom of expression.
Development Diaries reports that the rights organisation made the statement following incidents involving the police beating up protesters, teargassing and targeting organisers of the nationwide peaceful protest which was in remembrance of the fallen musician, Azagaia.
Mozambican youths were participating in authorised nationwide peaceful demonstrations to remember Azagaia who inspired many with his music.
He sang about injustice, including the mistreatment of people by the authorities and poverty and social injustice, and urged people to hold their authorities to account. He died suddenly on 09 March.
Seven protesters and organisers have so far been arrested and detained in Maputo, Gaza, Inhambane, Sofala and Nampula, and police are understood to be calling others and threatening them for their involvement in the protests.
‘The Mozambican police’s heavy-handed response to these peaceful demonstrations, including beating up protesters with baton sticks, causing them injuries, is an outrageous act of unfortunate policing against these defenceless protesters’, AI’s Deputy Director for East and Southern Africa, Emerlynn Gill, said in a statement.
‘Police must refrain from further targeting protesters, including arbitrarily arresting them and engaging in retaliatory violence against the peaceful protesters.
‘Authorities must swiftly investigate police who arrested people in Maputo and subjected them to beating and ensure that they are brought to account for violating the human rights of protesters including international law’.
Freedom House categorised Mozambique as ‘partly free’ in its 2023 Freedom in the World report of political rights and civil liberties, with the country earning 47 points out of a possible 100.
Development Diaries calls on the Mozambican government to call the country’s police authorities to order and ensure the rights of the people are protected.
We also call on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) to exercise its mandate in promoting and protecting human rights and collective (peoples’) rights in Mozambique as enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Source: Amnesty International
Photo source: Voice of Africa
