Mozambique: Civil society protests against attacks on freedom of expression

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Mozambique: Civil society protests against attacks on freedom of expression

12:17 CAT | 06 Apr 2018

Photo: Lusa

A group of Mozambican civil society organisations is promoting a vigil in support of freedom of expression following attacks on people critical of the Mozambican Liberation Front (Frelimo) government.

In a statement, the Southern Africa Communication Institute (MISA) points out that the initiative is part of a national movement to protest attacks on innocent citizens as an obstacle to freedom of expression.

The organisation points out that the latest attack on freedom of the press focused on journalist and commentator Ericino de Salema, who was abducted and attacked by unknown people on 27 March.

Jaime Macuane called as witness in Ericino de Salema case

“During the vigil, organisations and private citizens should freely express their repudiation of these intimidating acts against the life and physical integrity of citizens, through messages, songs, poems or other expressions of opinion,” the statement said.

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

In protest of the attacks on freedom of expression, on Tuesday Mozambican civil society organisations handed in a petition to the President of the Mozambican parliament asking it to press the legal system to clarify the reasons for the acts of violence against critics of the Frelimo Government.

Salema was abducted by unknown people in the centre of Maputo, outside the National Union of Journalists, and taken to the capital’s ring road, about 8 kilometres away. Later he was found with injuries to his feet and left arm.

The journalist is a commentator on “Pontos de Vista,” a popular commentary programme on private television channel STV.

The kidnapping and attack against Salema follows a wave of murders and attacks on critics of Frelimo in recent years.

Source: Lusa