The Ombudsman, Isaque Chande, criticised the ‘excessive’ use of force by the police to contain post-election protests on Wednesday, 18 December, calling on demonstrators to observe the law when holding demonstrations.
‘I condemn this excessive force, but you will also understand that the police, in some of these situations, have to intervene with their force, albeit in a proportional way,’ the ombudsman, Isaque Chande, told the media in Maputo, quoted by Lusa.
At issue are the demonstrations and stoppages that have been called by presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, who rejects the results of the 9 October general elections announced by the National Electoral Commission (CNE), which awarded victory to Daniel Chapo, the candidate supported by the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo), which still have to be validated by the Constitutional Council by 23 December.
At a joint press conference with the Human Rights Commission and the Public Ethics Commission, in view of the post-election demonstrations and stoppages, Chande criticised the participation of children in the marches, calling for a rethink of the way protests are carried out.
‘It is our obligation to call for the law to be respected, both by the demonstrators and by the police. We deplore this excessive use of force, but the police have to intervene in cases where it is justified,’ he said, pointing to the destruction of public and private infrastructure.
‘In justified cases, the police must intervene, but in a proportionate way to preserve the property and physical integrity of the demonstrators. No to deaths that could have been avoided,’ insisted the ombudsman.
At the same press conference, he asked the demonstrators for a ‘better interpretation of the law’ on demonstrations, pointing out that protests are a legal right, but that they must respect other fundamental rights of citizens.
‘Nobody has to be coerced into taking part in a meeting. Joining must be free, spontaneous and voluntary. When trunks and other objects are placed on the public highway to prevent the free movement of people, this is an offence against public order and security, because one person’s right to demonstrate does not give them the right to prevent others from carrying out their activities,’ he said.
At least 130 people have died in post-election demonstrations in the country since 21 October, according to a report this week by the Decide Electoral Platform, which monitors electoral processes in Mozambique. It also points out that 385 people have been shot.
Presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane said on Monday that the proclamation of the results of the general elections by the CC, expected on 23 December, will determine whether Mozambique ‘moves towards peace or chaos.’
