Hanjo Farise, Amnesty International’s East and Southern Africa Deputy Director, responded to reports that police in Mozambique’s Nampula city shot and detained supporters of opposition presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane at a rally following a disputed national election. He said:
“No matter who wins the elections, Mozambican police must respect the right of people to peacefully assemble. Firing live ammunition at peaceful political rallies and arbitrarily detaining opposition supporters is This is a serious violation of both Mozambican and international human rights law.
Firing live ammunition at peaceful political rallies and arbitrarily detaining opposition supporters are serious violations of both Mozambican and international human rights law.
Kanyo Farise, Deputy Regional Director, East Africa, Amnesty International
“If people of any political viewpoint continue to hold peaceful assemblies during and after vote counting, police must fulfill their duty to ensure the safety of all those present.”
background
On October 16, police opened fire on Mr. Mondlane’s supporters during a rally to welcome candidates arriving in Nampula, an opposition stronghold, injuring at least one person. At the rally, police also arrested David Callisto Bandeira, a musician and prominent supporter of the opposition Podemos party. Police charged Bandeira with inciting violence because of the pro-Podemos song.
No matter who wins the election, Mozambican police must respect the right of people to peacefully assemble.
Kanyo Farise, Deputy Regional Director, East Africa, Amnesty International
Supporters of Mondlane and Podemos have been protesting since October 12, when partial results showed Daniel Chapo, candidate of the ruling Frelimo party, was leading in Nampula province and other provinces.
On October 10, the day after the election, police shot and killed two other people at polling stations in the Boundua area of Bouj district in Sofala province and the George Dimitrov area of the capital Maputo.
Mondlane called for a nationwide strike on October 21, following allegations of irregularities in campaigning, voting and counting.
