Amnesty International has condemned the Mozambican police for firing upon peaceful supporters of opposition candidate Venâncio Mondlane during a rally in Nampula. The use of live ammunition and arbitrary detentions raises serious concerns regarding human rights violations amid disputed election results, with calls for a national strike from the opposition leadership in response to alleged irregularities.
Amnesty International has condemned the actions of the Mozambican police during a recent political rally for opposition presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane in Nampula city, where the police reportedly fired upon and detained peaceful supporters. Khanyo Farise, the Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa at Amnesty International, emphasized the necessity for police to uphold the citizens’ right to peaceful assembly, irrespective of the election outcome. He stated, “Shooting live bullets at a peaceful political rally and arbitrarily detaining opposition supporters is a gross violation of both Mozambican and international human rights law.” During the rally held on 16 October, at least one individual was wounded due to police gunfire, while prominent musician David Calisto Bandeira was arrested and charged with inciting violence through his pro-PODEMOS songs. These incidents follow ongoing protests by Mondlane and PODEMOS supporters since 12 October, after partial election results indicated that the ruling Frelimo party’s candidate was leading in Nampula province and other locations.
On 10 October, the day after the elections, allegations of irregularities in casting and counting votes prompted significant discontent among the opposition. This unrest intensified when police shot and injured two individuals at polling stations in the Sofala province and Maputo. The political landscape has been fraught with tension, particularly with Mondlane’s call for a nationwide strike on 21 October, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the election process. The response of the authorities, particularly the police’s use of force against peaceful assemblies, raises substantial concerns regarding their commitment to uphold human rights and political freedoms in Mozambique.
The situation in Mozambique highlights critical concerns regarding the right to peaceful assembly in the context of political dissent. The police’s aggressive actions during peaceful rallies and the detention of opposition supporters not only contravene national and international laws, but also threaten the integrity of democratic processes in the country. Amnesty International’s call for a commitment to human rights must be heeded in order to foster a political climate conducive to dialogue and respect for all citizens’ rights.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
