Mozambique: Urgent Calls for Investigations Amid Violent Crackdown on Opposition
Amnesty International calls for urgent investigations into violence against opposition supporters following shootings in Mozambique. Reports indicate fatalities, injuries, and widespread human rights infringements involving government forces. Since the elections, over 300 deaths have been reported, and further abuses continue to threaten stability and democracy.
Recent shootings targeting opposition supporters in Mozambique have prompted urgent calls for investigations, according to Khanyo Farisè, Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa at Amnesty International. Reports indicate gunmen shot at an opposition official’s residence, while two opposition members were fatally shot in a vehicle. Furthermore, police allegedly fired upon a peaceful protest organized by opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, injuring numerous participants.
These troubling occurrences have reignited fears reminiscent of the severe repression faced by dissenters following last year’s elections in Mozambique. The prevalence of such violence highlights the ongoing climate of impunity within the country. Farisè has urged the Mozambican government to take immediate action by investigating all reported human rights abuses post-election, especially the deaths of over 300 individuals.
Amidst the national elections held on 9 October 2024 and subsequent unrest, widespread allegations of election rigging led to nationwide demonstrations starting on 21 October, triggered by the assassination of two prominent opposition figures. Monitoring groups documented extensive human rights violations, including over 300 fatalities, a majority attributed to state security forces.
In addition to the fatalities, more than 700 individuals have been wounded, and thousands arbitrarily detained in a campaign marked by reports of torture and ill-treatment in custody. The government has also purportedly targeted journalists, restricted internet access, and deployed military forces to suppress dissent. The protests have persisted following President Chapo’s inauguration in January, during which he denounced protesters, comparing them to “terrorists” and threatening violent retribution against demonstrators.
The alarming series of shootings against opposition supporters in Mozambique underscores a critical need for thorough investigations into human rights violations. With over 300 fatalities and various abuses recorded since the elections, it is imperative for the government to ensure accountability. The prevailing atmosphere of violence and suppression poses a significant threat to democratic principles in Mozambique, necessitating immediate and decisive action from authorities.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
