Govt appoints team to investigate alleged army abuses of Malawi refugees – Mozambique

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Govt appoints team to investigate alleged army abuses of Malawi refugees – Mozambique

11:56 CAT | 10 Mar 2016

In File Club of Mozambique

The Mozambican government has said it will investigate alleged violations of human rights by defence and security forces in Tete during clashes with Renamo.

“With reference to alleged human rights violations reported by some media, the Government reiterates its commitment to continue working with all segments of society to understand what constitutes such violations of human rights and take appropriate measures in accordance with the law,” a statement the Council of Ministers sent to Lusa on Wednesday reads.

The statement continues with assertions that,in collaboration with the organs of the administration of justice, the government is strengthening measures aimed at consolidating the rule of law and ensuring continued respect for fundamental rights and freedoms in the country.

The Mozambican authorities are reported to be coordinating with national and international agencies in providing humanitarian assistance to Mozambicans who fled to Malawi and ensuring their return to the country, the text adds.

“The promotion of dialogue with all the forces of society is one of the main commitments of the Government of Mozambique, in order to contribute to the consolidation of national unity, peace and well-being of the Mozambican people,” the statement says.

The Mozambican government condemned alleged attacks perpetrated by the armed wing of Renamo (Mozambique National Resistance), pointing to dialogue as the only way to restore peace in the country.

Still on Wednesday, March 9 2016, the government announced that the investigatory team had been appointed, saying that it will be led by deputy minister of Justice Joaquim Veríssimo and include the deputy minister of the Interior ,José dos Santos Coimbra, and staff from the ministry of Justice and ministry of State Administration and Civil Service, as well as representatives of relevant institutions invited to clarify the matter, says the Council of Ministers.

An estimated 11,000 Mozambicans have now fled the military clashes in the centre of Mozambique for the makeshift refugee camp in Kapise in south-western Malawi, the official responsible for the camp told Lusa yesterday.

Contacted by phone from Lisbon, Monique Ekoko said that by Monday, 8,776 Mozambicans had been registered, and estimated that about 2,250 others more were waiting to be processed.

“They come with everything they own, often just the few things they managed to save from their destroyed houses. The government forces consider them Renamo supporters – at least that is what they have told us. But we still cannot confirm any of this,” Ekoko said.

On March 1, the governor of Tete, Paul Auade, denied the existence of any Mozambican refugees in Malawi, arguing that most people in Kapise are Malawians passing themselves off as displaced by drought.

Auade was contradicted two days later by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Oldemiro Baloi, who confirmed in parliament the existence of Mozambicans i in Malawi and said the government’s priority was to ensure they got humanitarian assistance, although without admitting their refugee status.

“Refugee status is not automatic. The award of refugee status requires an application for asylum, but the humanitarian component nevertheless overrides this issue”, Baloi said.

Source: Lusa