Mozambique: B.O. prisoners on hunger strike again – Carta

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Mozambique: B.O. prisoners on hunger strike again – Carta

4:17 CAT | 11 Dec 2019

File photo: Folha de Maputo

As ‘Carta de Moçambique’ reported on November 16, inmates of Maputo’s Maximum Security Penitentiary Establishment (EPMS), popularly known as “B.O.”, were proposing to go on hunger strike again, allegedly in response to the institution management’s refusal to demote two inmates from maximum security classification to the normal regime, thereby allowing them to apply for parole.

It is now 14 days since, on 27 November, they went on hunger strike.

EPMS officials interviewed by ‘Carta’ say that six of the group on hunger strike have been admitted to the B.O. Medical Centre because of their health. But Clemente Instamuele, spokesman for the National Penitentiary Service (SERNAP), said on Tuesday (10 December) that “the institution was unaware of any strike in the BO”, noting that the situation “remains calm” and that there was “no information of any hunger strike”.

Serôdio Towo, chairman of the former Inmates’ Social Reintegration Association, said in an interview with ‘Carta’ that he had only seen media reports, but that he would confirm or deny that there was a hunger strike within the next 48 hours.

According to sources, EPMS regulations state that “a prisoner may remain under maximum security for three to six months, this being the maximum time. Meanwhile, the inmates in question have been in the same regime for seven years, with no access to school, to church, or much less to sports,” activities considered vital to the process of inmates’ rehabilitation and social integration.

The source confided that there were no formal accusations justifying the prisoners’ situation, the legally established deadlines having already expired, and that only the will of the Board was behind the two prisoners’ enduring maximum security categorisation.

By Omardine Omar

Source: Carta de Moçambique