The president of the Mozambican Bar Association (OAM), Carlos Martins, revealed on Wednesday 6 November that the contribution of the institution’s professionals has made it possible to release 2700 people detained throughout the country as part of the post-election demonstrations, Lusa reported .
‘There were 2,700 detainees who are now free, as a result of the dedicated work of the lawyers who are members of OAM, often at the risk of their lives,’ said Carlos Martins, during a press conference in Maputo, in the southern region, in which he called on the head of state, Filipe Nyusi, to start a “genuine dialogue” to avoid a “bloodbath” this Thursday (7), the day of the national demonstration in the capital called by presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane.
‘Most of the arrests were effectively illegal, because there was no trial. Those who did have a case, the prosecution was unable to prove the facts they were being accused of. What the court said, in many cases, was not that the ‘accused’ hadn’t possibly taken part in the violence, but that there was no evidence and, in the absence of evidence, they should be released,’ he said.
The source added that ‘others were arrested without taking part in demonstrations’, only ‘because they were on the public highway’ at the time.
‘We are also monitoring the issue of citizens who have been raped and who are in hospitals, to check on the situation. We noticed that most of the citizens who lost their lives (…) almost all suffered injuries to the upper body – neck, abdomen, head – which takes us to another type of exercise and analysis. Because if you want to persuade, naturally the shots should be aimed at the lower limbs or the air. This is the meaning of a better prepared and more prudent police force,’ said Carlos Martins.
The president of the Mozambican Medical Association (AMM), Napoleão Viola, said on Tuesday (4) that at least 108 people had been shot and 16 killed in the post-election violence of the last few days, admitting that health services were deteriorating due to the ‘pressure’ of the demand for assistance
The official also emphasised that demonstrating is a constitutional right, but that acts of ‘violence’ have also been detected by some of the demonstrators in recent days.
‘We couldn’t leave unpunished some situations of vandalism, some situations that border on crime, which are being practised by some demonstrators. It is also the demonstrators’ task and objective to protect society’s property, both private and public. Demonstrations must not be restricted or banned. Nonetheless, we must call the demonstrators to account – there is nothing to justify the violence, disturbances and murders of our citizens. We will not respond to violence with violence,’ he said.
The president of the Mozambican Medical Association (AMM), Napoleão Viola, said on Tuesday (4) that at least 108 people had been shot and 16 killed in the post-election violence of recent days, admitting that health services were deteriorating due to the ‘pressure’ of the demand for assistance.
Mozambique’s Minister of National Defence, Cristóvão Chume, also admitted on Tuesday to some ‘excesses’ on the part of the security forces to contain demonstrations, but warned that the corporation would react ‘to the extent’ of the acts carried out by demonstrators.
The announcement by the Mozambican National Electoral Commission (CNE) on 24 October, in which it awarded victory to Daniel Chapo, supported by the Mozambican Liberation Front (Frelimo, the party in power since 1975) in the election for Mozambican President, with 70.67% of the votes, sparked popular protests, taking into account an appeal by Venâncio Mondlane.
According to the CNE, Venâncio Mondlane came second with 20.32%, but he said he did not recognise these results, which have yet to be validated and proclaimed by the Constitutional Council.
After street protests on the 21st, 24th and 25th, which brought the country to a standstill, candidate Venâncio Mondlane has once again called on the population for a seven-day general strike since 31 October, with nationwide street protests that have degenerated into violence and police intervention, and a demonstration in Maputo this Thursday.
