Mozambican police claim they use legitimate means to dispel protests but face serious accusations of repression, leading to numerous deaths and injuries from live ammunition. Several officials have voiced opposition to this approach, emphasizing the need for dialogue and non-lethal crowd management methods. The police’s continued reliance on aggressive measures raises significant concerns about compliance with human rights standards.
According to a spokesperson for the Mozambican police, the force asserts that it employs only legitimate methods to disperse protestors during recent demonstrations, despite evidence suggesting otherwise. Leonel Muchina, the police spokesperson for Maputo, stated that although injuries and fatalities may occur due to unforeseen circumstances, they use legitimate crowd control measures, including tear gas.
Civil society groups, such as the Human Rights Commission of the Mozambican Bar Association, have charged the police with acts of repression against citizens protesting the outcomes of the October elections. These accusations encompass serious violations including murder, torture, and enforced disappearances connected to supporters of former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane.
The “Decide” Electoral Platform reports that since the protests commenced on October 21, 361 individuals have been fatally shot by police, with an additional 619 sustaining gunshot wounds. Reports indicate that the police frequently resort to live ammunition rather than non-lethal methods like tear gas, leading to grievous outcomes.
One tragic incident occurred in the southern municipality of Matola, where a young man was fatally shot by a bullet allegedly fired by the Rapid Intervention Unit amid a gathering celebrating a newly proclaimed “heroes day” by Mondlane. Eyewitness accounts from Mediafax revealed that the police engaged the crowd with tear gas and live ammunition, resulting in the death of a young man who was pursued into a residential area.
A youth who witnessed the incident condemned the police’s actions, asserting that their gathering did not obstruct traffic or vandalize property. The use of live ammunition is seen as a serious infraction against both governmental directives and police leadership.
Minister of Justice Mateus Saize emphasized that the use of live ammunition against protestors is inappropriate, insisting that authorities should deploy rubber bullets and tear gas instead. Joaquim Sive, the new police commander, echoed this sentiment by advocating dialogue over aggressive measures in crowd control, calling for balanced measures in handling conflicts.
However, it appears the Maputo city police have disregarded these directives, continuing their aggressive tactics against demonstrators, raising concerns about the adherence to lawful crowd management practices.
In summary, the Mozambican police claim to use legitimate methods for crowd dispersion, yet extensive evidence from civil rights organizations suggests otherwise, citing severe human rights violations. The contested use of live ammunition has resulted in multiple fatalities, contradicting government officials’ directives for non-lethal measures. Accountability remains critical in addressing police conduct during protests, and a shift towards dialogue and community engagement is urgently needed to restore public trust.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
