Maputo, 28 Oct (AIM) – José Caldeira, chairperson of the Mozambican Association of Jurists (ANJUR), has expressed his concern at the wave of assassinations against police officers, calling for the justice bodies to solve the cases and implement measures aimed at protecting magistrates, prosecutors and lawyers.
According to Caldeira, who was speaking on Monday, in Maputo, on the sidelines of a Conference of the National Association of Mozambican Jurists (ANJUR), jurists face major challenges, especially at a moment when the country has been witnessing crimes against police officers.
Caldeira, who is the chairperson of ANJUR, acknowledged that the profession faces major challenges, both within the justice system and in the broader context of insecurity in the country.
The latest victim of the violence against police officers was Leonor Célia Inguane who was shot dead by unknown assailants in the southern city of Matola. Inguane, who held the rank of Superintendent, was the Police Commander in Marracuene District, about 30 kilometres north of Maputo.
“The challenges facing jurists are, in fact, the challenges facing the country. We know that insecurity does not help lawyers, judges or prosecutors to make decisions calmly. But we cannot be intimidated. We must continue to fulfill our role and trust that the Mozambican Defence and Security Forces (FDS) will be able to resolve the problems linked to terrorism and crime”, Caldeira said.
“Unfortunately, intimidation continues. When those who enforce the law are not free to do so, security problems are exacerbated. It is essential that the government guarantees conditions for justice operators to perform their duties freely and safely”, he added.
Caldeira believes that unity between judges, prosecutors, lawyers and other professionals from the public and private sectors is crucial so that difficulties may be faced with greater strength.
“Judges and prosecutors are not an island”, he stressed. “Unfortunately, we have cases of magistrates involved in acts of corruption. The state must ensure that these cases are properly punished, with expulsion and criminal accountability”.
He also called for digitization and innovation in the courts “as a way to increase transparency and reduce opportunities for corruption.”
“Digitization will allow for greater speed, less red tape and greater control over cases”, he said.
(AIM)
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