This page summarizes cases raised with Mozambique by the Special Rapporteur between May 1, 2011, (when the Special Rapporteur took up his functions) and February 28, 2017 (the date of the last public release of communications). Communications are released to the public once per year. This page also contains observations on these communications and on responses received from Mozambique.
Communications and observations are divided into sections based upon which observation report they originally appeared.
Each communication is referenced as urgent appeal (UA), allegation letter (AL), joint urgent appeal (JUA) and joint allegation letter (JAL) – the hyperlinks lead to these documents. This is followed by the date the communication was issued, as well as the case number and the State reply (also hyperlinked if available).
Summaries and communications are published only in the language of submission (in the case of Mozambique, English).
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Observations
Responses to communications
The Special Rapporteur regrets not having received a response to his communications. He considers responses to his communications to be an important part of the cooperation of Governments with his mandate, in line with Human Rights Council resolutions 24/5 (2013), 21/16 (2012) and 15/21 (2010).
Environment in which these rights are exercised
The Special Rapporteur reiterates his serious concern regarding the attempted killing of Mr. Manuel Bissopo, leader of the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo); the killing of his body guard in Beira; and the killing of Mr. Gilles Cistac, a professor of law at the University of Eduardo Mondlane, who was a central figure in a sensitive debate about autonomy for Mozambique’s provinces and decentralization of power in Maputo. The Special Rapporteur notes with regret that the alleged intimidation, death threats, and killings appear to be in direct connection with these individuals’ political activities. He is concerned that these incidents may have a deterrent effect on the public debate on issues of significant public interest.
He recalls that any restriction on the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association must comply with the provisions of articles 19, 21 and 22 of the ICCPR. The Special Rapporteur also recalls resolutions 24/5 and 15/21, which affirm the responsibility of States to respect and fully protect the rights of peaceful assembly and association of all individuals.
He urges the authorities of Mozambique to provide the results of investigations regarding the alleged threats and killings and to bring the perpetrators of these acts to justice. The Special Rapporteur also calls upon authorities to ensure that they take positive measures to establish and maintain an enabling environment for human rights. It is crucial that individuals, including notably unionists, exercising their rights are able to operate freely without fear that they may be subjected to any threats, acts of intimidation or violence, including summary or arbitrary executions, enforced or involuntary disappearances, arbitrary arrest or detention, torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, a media smear campaign, travel ban or arbitrary dismissal (A/HRC/20/27, par. 63).
For the full reports, containing communications, replies and observations for all countries, see the following links:
Report A/HRC/20/27/Add.3: May 1, 2011 to March 15, 2012
Report A/HRC/23/39/Add.2: March 16, 2012 to February 28, 2013
Report A/HRC/26/29/Add.1: March 1, 2013 to February 28, 2014
Report A/HRC/29/25/Add.3: March 1, 2014 to February 28, 2015
Report A/HRC/32/36/Add.3: March 1, 2015 to February 28, 2016
Report A/HRC/35/28/Add.4: March 1, 2016 to February 28, 2017
