Islamic women’s organization asks for protection from kidnappings in Mozambique

The Islamic Women’s Organization, based in Maputo, asked today for protection for women against kidnappings in Mozambique in reaction to the kidnapping of one of its members on Tuesday, reads a note received today by Lusa.

“Attitudes and crimes of this nature cannot and should not go unpunished.”

“We are women, we want protection, we want peace and dignity, we want to study, work and walk freely without fear,” says the organization in a joint statement with the Muslim Community of Mozambique.

At issue is the kidnapping of a 47-year-old businesswoman outside her firm on Tuesday in the center of the Mozambican capital.

According to the statement, the kidnapped woman, of Indian descent, is a member of the Islamic Women’s Organization.

The associations repudiate all crimes of violence and kidnappings that have affected Mozambican families, noting that “total insecurity” in the country affects the well-being, mental health, and education of women and children.

“In the rule of law or any society, crimes of this nature should be vigorously combated, especially when committed against women,” the statement said.

The Muslim community and the women’s organization expressed solidarity with the families affected by the crimes, asking that “due measures be taken to return peace and security” to Mozambicans.

The kidnapping happened a few days after the Mozambican Prime Minister, Adriano Maleiane, went to parliament to announce advances in forming an anti-kidnapping unit to stem the wave of kidnappings that have targeted business people or their relatives in recent years.

Maleiane said that since 2021, the country recorded 28 kidnapping cases, of which “15 cases were fully clarified.

In the annual assessment of crime in the country, the Attorney General of the Republic, Beatriz Buchili, has warned about the involvement of members of the authorities in criminal networks.

With information from Lusa

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