Maputo, 3 Nov (AIM) – The Mozambican chapter of the regional press freedom body MISA (Media Institute of Southern Africa) has urged the authorities to take “daring measures” to end impunity for crimes against journalists.
In a statement issued to mark 2 November, the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, MISA-Mozambique noted that “although the exercise of journalism is constitutionally recognized as a fundamental right, attacks against media professionals are continuing and, in most cases, they go unpunished”.
In 2022, in all the cases denounced by MISA of violations of press freedom (including assaults against journalists, and destruction of their equipment), “there was no action by the government authorities to hold the offenders responsible”.
Among the worst violations in recent years, MISA recalls, was the disappearance of Ibraimo Mbaruco, a journalist on Palma Community Radio, in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, on 7 April 2020. Nothing has been heard of him since.
Also unsolved are the arson attack against the weekly paper “Canal de Mocambique”, on 28 August 2020; the fire at the premises of the Monte Gile Community Radio, in Zambezia province, and the abduction and torture of journalist and activist Ericino de Salema.
This year journalists came under pressure because of the municipal elections held on 11 October. One of the worst incidents was the physical attack, by members of the police Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) against Leonardo Limae, a reporter on the TV station, Televisao Academica, in Beira, in which Limane suffered a sprained ankle. Over 20 days later, no police officer has been arrested in connection with this assault.
MISA urges the authorities to end this state of impunity. “While, on the one hand, the authorities should not commit violations against journalists, on the other they should take vigourous measures to hold the predators on press freedom responsible for their acts”, said the MISA statement. “This would send a clear message that such acts will not be tolerated”.
(AIM)
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