UN human rights experts are demanding an immediate end to the violence following Mozambique’s disputed elections on October 9. The brutal crackdown on protesters has resulted in over 30 deaths and hundreds of arrests, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and respect for human rights in the country. Reports of excessive force, media suppression, and retaliation against police are further complicating the situation.
In Mozambique, a storm of violence swirls in the aftermath of the contentious October 9 elections, claiming lives and shattering peace. The UN’s independent human rights experts urgently urged the Mozambican authorities to halt the ongoing repression of demonstrations and investigate unlawful killings. Allegations of election fraud follow the ruling Frelimo party’s controversial victory, with security forces employing brutal tactics against peaceful protesters, resulting in at least 30 deaths, including a child, and around 200 injuries.
Mozambique has been plagued by turmoil since the elections, as deep-seated distrust in the electoral process fuels protests against the longstanding Frelimo regime. Since assuming power in 1975, Frelimo has been accused of manipulating the political landscape to suppress dissenting voices. Following the disputed elections, citizens took to the streets, facing violent crackdowns from law enforcement, which only intensified calls for accountability and justice. The situation is critical, with the very fabric of Mozambique’s democracy at stake.
The United Nations experts issued a compelling plea for the Mozambican government to protect its citizens’ rights amidst this chaotic backdrop. The urgent need for investigations into violence and respect for peaceful assembly rights underscores the fragile state of Mozambique’s democratic process. As the world watches, the resolution of this crisis hangs in the balance, a pivotal moment that could define Mozambique’s political future.
Original Source: news.un.org