Africa’s press freedom NGO finds justifications for police repression in Mozambique questionable

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA Mozambique) today called for explanations on police repression in Mozambique, considering the justifications given by the corporation as serious.

“Given the seriousness of the police response to the demonstration, the threats, and the statements made by the deputy commander-general, MISA Mozambique requested the Ministry of Interior a request for further clarification on the causes of the barbarities committed on Saturday by agents of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM),” reads a statement.

At issue was the repression of peaceful marches in honor of ‘rapper’ Azagaia, which caused injuries and damage among unarmed youths and passersby.

The non-governmental organization (NGO) questioned that the police justified themselves, saying that the marches were in honor of a “musician,” but the participants “were not musicians, but individuals linked to political parties, civil society organizations, and non-governmental organizations” as if it were an illicit act.

MISA also pointed the finger at the police when the corporation argued that “a coup d’état” might be being prepared “allegedly promoted by the press and civil society organizations.”

“For MISA, the attempts at clarification are nothing more than unfounded assumptions and orphaned by evidence” to “discredit activists and media outlets” as well as to “justify the unbridled actions” of the police.

The security force “missed a prime opportunity to publicly redeem itself before the people it swore to defend,” MISA stressed.

If threats to the country’s security were detected, “the least that could be expected from the authorities was a coordinated action with the leaders of the marches to guarantee order and public tranquility,” instead of attacking them, violating the freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate,” it said.

In addition to the request for clarification, MISA Mozambique has formulated a petition to the Ombudsman’s Office for institutional and individual responsibilities.

In a context note, the NGO added that “the denial of the right to demonstrate, of the right to information” and the limitation of freedom of expression and the press “is recurrent in Mozambique”.

In another document, the Association of University Teachers of Mozambique (ADUM) today accused the authorities of “gross violation of fundamental rights,” warning of the risk of spreading violations of fundamental rights and violent reactions.

“The Association of University Teachers of Mozambique has been following with great concern the upsurge of actions that constitute political violence and gross violation of the fundamental rights of Mozambicans,” it said in a statement.

With information from Lusa