Maputo, 22 Nov (AIM) – The Mozambican Association of Judges (AMJ) has condemned the disproportionate use of force by the Police and the murder of defenseless people during demonstrations called by the independent presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane.
The demonstrations, which have been taking place since 21 October, are also aimed at protesting against the murder of Mondlane’s lawyer, Elvino Dias, and Paulo Guambe, an election agent for Podemos (Optimistic Party for the Development of Mozambique).
According to the anti-corruption NGO, the Centre for Public Integrity (CIP), during the four phases of demonstrations over 60 people have lost their lives as a result of the security force’s disproportionate use of force against demonstrators.
According to the AMJ statement, the death of defenseless citizens, shot by police officers, occurred “in a very disproportionate act and a total lack of police restraint.”
“The demonstrations turned into a scene of extreme violence, with irreparable human damage and huge material losses, when it was expected that they would take place within a legal-constitutional framework of strict mutual respect for the fundamental rights of all those involved”, reads the note.
However, the judges also condemned those people who take advantage of the demonstrations to loot stores and destroy public and private infrastructures.
“We also condemn the actions of citizens who, instead of exercising their rights peacefully, engage in acts of destruction of public and/or private property and even obstruct the movement of others. Killing, injuring, destroying or stealing are crimes of a public nature, which the Attorney-General’s Office (PGR) must investigate and file criminal proceedings against all those involved, without any exception”, says the AMJ document.
The judges also called on all of society to act in accordance with the rule of law and democracy.
“All citizens, political actors, defense and security forces and other competent institutions must act with respect for the fundamental rights of the human being”, reads the AMJ note.
(AIM)
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