Maputo, 28 Nov (AIM) – The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), a prominent NGO, claims that the Mozambican Police (PRM) on Wednesday shot dead three people and injured dozens during demonstrations called by the independent presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane in order to protest against the allegedly fraudulent results of the elections held on 9 October.
According to the statement, the three young men were murdered by Police in the Waresta market in the northern city of Nampula.
“The young men were unarmed and posed no threat whatsoever, but they were shot in circumstances that can only be described as heinous executions. The brutal actions of the security forces include the intentional running over of a young woman on Eduardo Mondlane avenue, in central Maputo, by an armored vehicle belonging to the Mozambique Armed Forces”, reads the document.
The organization also points out that a 35-year-old, named Ali Pinto Hamisse, was shot in the eye and back on Eduardo Mondlane Avenue, although he was not participating at the demonstrations.
According to the document, the anti-riot force (UIR) “is still firing tear gas grenades into people’s homes, affecting people who are not at the demonstrations.”
The organization also claims that the government is continuing to use officers in plain clothes allegedly from the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC).
“These individuals drive around in unmarked vehicles, wielding firearms to shoot at demonstrators. On Wednesday, a Toyota Allion was seen driving along Eduardo Mondlane Avenue, carrying heavily armed individuals to suppress the demonstrations”, reads the report.
In order to avoid further deaths and social upheaval, the organization calls on civil society, human rights defenders and the international community to redouble their efforts to demand that the Mozambican government take concrete and immediate measures.
“The security forces cannot continue to act as an entity above the law, and those responsible for these barbaric acts, even if they are the so-called bearers of superior orders, must be brought to justice”, reads the CDD report.
(AIM)
Ad/pf (334)
