The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture has denounced the lack of substantial progress by Mozambique in implementing measures aimed at preventing torture and ill-treatment in prisons, urging the authorities to step up their efforts in this area.
In a statement released on Friday (7), quoted by Lusa, the UN body stated that since its last mission to the country in 2016, progress has been limited, despite Mozambique’s commitments under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, ratified in 2013.
“While we regret that the recommendations made after our first visit remain unimplemented, we believe that Mozambique is now at a crucial moment to act,” said Chris Nissen, head of the subcommittee delegation, as quoted in the same statement.
The UN mission was in Mozambique from October 20 to 30, with the aim of assessing the level of compliance with the guidance issued during the previous visit — particularly regarding the eradication of torture and other ill-treatment in detention facilities.
During its stay, the delegation visited several police stations and prisons across different provinces, some in coordination with the National Preventive Mechanism, the body assigned to the National Human Rights Commission, which is responsible for conducting regular inspections of places of deprivation of liberty.
The subcommittee noted the urgent need to strengthen the mandate and operational capacity of this commission to ensure systematic and effective monitoring of detention centers.
Despite limited progress, the international body highlighted as a positive note the ongoing constitutional reform process, considering it a valuable opportunity to strengthen the legal foundation of the National Preventive Mechanism and bring the country closer to international human rights standards.
The final report of the mission, which remains confidential, will be submitted to the Mozambican Government. However, the subcommittee encourages the authorities to make the document public and to ensure the implementation of the recommendations it contains.
