Mozambican jurists denounced on Monday, October 27, that judges and prosecutors have been facing constant intimidation, calling on the government to provide “special protection” to ensure their safety.
“There are judges and prosecutors who suffer intimidation, and this happens through moral coercion. In this sense, we believe this practice must stop. We consider that such acts aggravate security problems,” said José Caldeira, President of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Mozambican Jurists (Anjur).
Speaking in Maputo, on the sidelines of Anjur’s National Conference, held under the theme “Building a Future of Justice, Innovation, and Inclusive Development,” Caldeira stated that no country can function without a strong justice system, and that the economy is also put at risk.
“We appeal to the government for protection. We know that the current insecurity affects not only lawyers but also judges — and even more so, prosecutors,” he said.
Anjur is an organization that brings together jurists from various fields — including judges, prosecutors, and lawyers — and is dedicated to promoting debates, studies, and ongoing training within the sector.
In May, the Mozambican Judges Association (AMJ) proposed that a fixed percentage of the State Budget be allocated to the judicial system, in order to end its financial dependence on the government.
According to Esmeraldo Matavele, a representative of the organization, this model would allow the judiciary to plan its needs in advance and ensure that it has the necessary resources to cover judicial system expenses effectively.
Source: Diário Económico
