Mozambique has not responded for almost two months to requests from the United Nations Rapporteurs for clarification on serious human rights violations during the post-election protests in the country.
Two documents to which we have had access, and which have reportedly been sent to the government of Filipe Nyusi, indicate that clarification is sought on the excessive and disproportionate use of force, including the use of lethal force by the security forces against peaceful demonstrators; patterns of repression of demonstrations, including physical attacks; arbitrary arrests and detentions, as well as intimidation against journalists, lawyers and human rights defenders; and restrictions on access to information and freedom of the press, including the blocking of the internet.
The documents for Nyusi's government to explain the events were submitted in November, the first on the 14th and second, on the 27th. Since then, it seems that the UN has had no response.
The electoral protests in Mozambique began on October 21, 2024 and until January 15, 2025 followed four phases, including the last stage, Ponta de Lança.
In all phases there were deaths and injuries from police shootings - although at the beginning there were official speeches pointing to armed 'infiltrators' in an attempt to exonerate the massacres. There were also people detained without apparent just cause, but some were released through the free intervention of the Mozambique Bar Association.
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