The Minister of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs, Mateus Saize, has called on institutions in the sector to make use of international legal instruments ratified by the country to combat organised crime, stressing the need to strengthen cooperation and legal certainty.
“In a context in which criminal phenomena are increasingly transnational in nature, it is imperative that, in the exercise of their functions, justice operators consistently integrate the principles and norms contained in the international instruments ratified by the Mozambican State,” the government official stated.
Speaking this Monday, 18 May, in Maputo during the launch of the Compendium of International Criminal Law Legislation, Mateus Saize highlighted the importance of strengthening the justice system and consolidating the rule of law, urging that instruments ratified by the country be used to curb organised crime.
“The use of these instruments in the reasoning of judicial decisions is not merely an option; it is a requirement of a modern, effective justice system aligned with international standards,” the minister said, adding that their incorporation would significantly contribute to harmonising jurisprudence, strengthening international legal cooperation, consolidating legal certainty and effectively fulfilling the commitments undertaken by the Mozambican State at international level.
Cited by Lusa, Mateus Saize stressed that the compendium brings together a systematised set of international legal instruments adopted within the framework of the United Nations, the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), enabling easier access, harmonised interpretation and effective application.
The publication covers four main areas: transnational organised crime, terrorism, drug trafficking and corruption. The Minister of Justice explained that these crimes require coordinated, legally sound responses aligned with international standards, while ensuring the promotion and protection of human rights.
“This compendium goes beyond the idea of a simple normative compilation. It is a structuring instrument for harmonising the national legal framework with international standards, strengthening the State’s capacity to respond effectively and responsibly to the challenges posed by contemporary crime,” he argued.
The compendium was developed with the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the European Union, with the latter stressing the importance of supporting such initiatives at a time when the rule of law is “under attack” worldwide. The EU also praised Mozambique for advancing legal mechanisms that strengthen the justice system and make it fairer and more aligned with international legal instruments.
Source: Diário Económico
