“The Portuguese language constitutes a major barrier in access to Justice” in Mozambique

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“The Portuguese language constitutes a major barrier in access to Justice” in Mozambique

3:16 CAT | 30 Apr 2021

Photo: O País

69% of citizens above 15 years of age don’t speak the language, according to INE’s 2017 population register, quoted by the MP.

Frelimo deputy and Chairman of the Commission on Constitutional Affairs, Human Rights and Legality, António Boene, says that the Portuguese language is a barrier in access to justice for a large part of the Mozambican population.

Boene recalled that, 69% of Mozambicans over 15 years of age do not speak Portuguese, according to National Statistics Institute figures for 2017.

“This [section of the] population does not know how to read or write in Portuguese, consequently, [do not know] the working language of the courts”.

Guaranteeing access to justice, Boene said, would involve not only finding clearer and more effective mechanisms, but also a thorough reform of all issues that constitute an obstacle to access to justice.

“Judicial players are not properly prepared to deal with this issue, which is not limited to the language used, but goes much further than the cultural and traditional values that must be combined for the appreciation of certain types of [judicial] cases,” he said.

António Boene was speaking in parliament on Thursday morning in response to the Attorney General’s annual report delivered the previous day,

Also read: Mozambique: INE insists its statistics are reliable – AIM report

Mozambique: Head of Statistics Institute resigns – AIM report

Source: O Pais