The Minister of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs, Mateus Saíze, defends the need to promote an in-depth debate around inclusive national dialogue, with a view to ensuring greater transparency, impartiality and trust in Mozambique's electoral administration system.

Speaking this Wednesday (02), in Maputo, at the opening of the First National Human Rights Forum, he stressed that "inclusive national dialogue opens up permanent spaces for consultation between the government, political parties, civil society, youth, the private sector and academics".

Quoted by AIM, Saíze recalled that the country had recently faced moments of pain and tension as a result of the disputed results of the 2023 elections.

"The demonstrations that took place in various cities were, for the most part, legitimate expressions of a people calling for inclusive electoral justice and dignity. However, it understands that it cannot be ignored that such demonstrations also degenerate into acts of violence, causing fear, destruction and human suffering," he said.

The leader argued that all political actions must safeguard human rights, and called for more active involvement from all sectors. "We recognize that in times of crisis - whether social, political, environmental or economic - the active involvement and careful consultation of all actors, state and non-state, becomes imperative in order to define solutions that dignify the human person, who must be at the center of all actions and policies."

Saíze reiterated Mozambique's commitment to the main international and regional human rights instruments, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention against Torture, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.

"In this context, we reiterate our commitment to aligning national policies with international standards, ensuring that the principles enshrined in these instruments translate into real changes in the lives of citizens," he said.

For his part, the president of the National Human Rights Commission, Albachir Macassar, highlighted the significant progress made by the Mozambican state in the field of the formal enshrinement of human rights. "This is demonstrated by the evolution of our Constitution in terms of guaranteeing fundamental rights, duties and freedoms, from economic, social and cultural rights in 1965, to an increase in civil and political rights in 1990, and then onwards with the 2004 revision," he explained.

The Head of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ana Mesquita, reaffirmed the United Nations' commitment to continue supporting Mozambique in strengthening the National Human Rights Protection System, with a view to building a more just, cohesive, peaceful and inclusive society.

 

(Photo DR)