Poor language proficiency and internet access are obstacles to accessing justice in Mozambique

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Poor language proficiency and internet access are obstacles to accessing justice in Mozambique

3:46 CAT | 02 Aug 2019

file photo: O País

Poor mastery of the Portuguese language and inadequate internet access are obstacles to accessing justice in Mozambique, a 2017 report on human rights in Mozambique presented on Thursday by the Mozambican Lawyer’s Bar Association (OAM) declares.

In the presence of Ombudsman Isaac Chand, Minister of Justice Joaquim Veríssimo and other representatives of justice-related institutions, the OAM on Thursday presented its third report on human rights in Mozambique, this one concerning the year 2017.

Poor understanding of Portuguese was identified as one of the biggest obstacles to accessing to justice in the country, followed by not having access to a lawyer or courts, non-compliance with trial deadlines, arbitrary detention, torture and non-compliance with pre-trial detention limits.

The report referring to 2017, Veríssimo argued that much had changed, but also acknowledged ongoing challenges such as poor implementation of alternative prison sentences options.

The debate on the report included the criticism that the study pertained only to 2017 and was not more current.

By: Raúl Massingue

Source: O País