Source: Amnesty International –
Mozambique’s Frelimo-led government must urgently launch investigations into reports of widespread human rights violations committed during the ongoing crackdown on protests following disputed national elections and commit to making the findings public, Amnesty International said.
Nationwide demonstrations erupted on 21 October 2024 following the killing of two prominent opposition-aligned figures. Since then, there have been credible reports of widespread human rights violations with more than 300 people reported killed, including children and bystanders, in an attempt to crush the protests, with the vast majority of deaths blamed on security forces, according to tallies by monitoring groups. Government forces have also shot and wounded more than 700 others and arbitrarily detained thousands, according to the same tallies, with reports of torture and other ill-treatment in custody. The authorities have also reportedly targeted journalists, restricted internet access and deployed the military.
“The crackdown on protests in Mozambique following last year’s election has been appalling. It is the bloodiest election cycle in Mozambique’s post-civil war history, yet the suspected perpetrators have enjoyed complete impunity,” said Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Khanyo Farisè.
President Daniel Chapo must prove his readiness to break this cycle of impunity by championing calls for urgent investigations.
Khanyo Farisè, Amnesty International Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa
“Mozambique’s new government must promptly open independent, effective and thorough investigations into all deaths, incidents of torture and other ill-treatment, and other reported human rights violations during the ongoing crackdown, with clear timelines to publicize results. President Daniel Chapo must prove his readiness to break this cycle of impunity by championing calls for urgent investigations and ensuring full cooperation with the investigative authorities. He must also ensure effective reparation to victims and survivors and use his authority to end human rights violations by security forces during protests.”