Mozambican civil society organises protest vigil against attacks on freedom of expression

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Mozambican civil society organises protest vigil against attacks on freedom of expression

11:45 CAT | 05 Apr 2018

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A group of Mozambican civil society organisations will hold a vigil on Friday to protest against attacks on figures critical of the Mozambican Liberation Front (Frelimo) government, the Southern Africa Communication Institute (MISA) announced today.

MISA said in a statement distributed in Maputo yesterday that the initiative was part of a national movement protesting against attacks meant to hinder the freedom of expression of innocent citizens.

The organisation highlights the latest act of violence related to the exercise of press freedom involving the journalist and commentator Ericino de Salema, abducted and attacked by persons so far unidentified on the 27th of March.

“During the vigil next Friday, organisations and private citizens will be able to express their repugnance at these acts of intimidation and attacks on the lives and physical integrity of citizens, through messages, songs, poems or other means,” the statement says.

The vigil will take place at the headquarters of the National Union of Journalists (SNJ) near the place where the journalist Ericino de Salema was abducted.

As part of the protest, civil society organisations on Tuesday handed a petition to the president of the Assembly of the Republic asking the body to press the judicial authorities to clarify the reasons behind violence against figures critical of Frelimo.

Salema was kidnapped by persons unknown at the exit of the National Union of Journalists in the centre of Maputo, and was found by local residents about eight kilometres away on the capital’s Ring Road a few hours later with signs of aggression to his feet and left arm.

The journalist is a commentator on ‘Pontos de Vista’, a popular programme aired by the privately-owned STV television channel. His kidnapping and attack follow a wave of murders and attacks on voices critical of Frelimo over recent years.

Source: Lusa