This escalation of violence that has been witnessed on an increasing basis could be completely counterproductive for the protesters, as all the conditions will be created for the decreeing of measures restricting freedoms in order to ensure public order
By Lusa
The Mozambican Bar Association (OAM) contends that the escalation of confrontations in the post-election demonstrations demonstrates a “loss of capacity” for dialogue, “normalising violence and hatred”, and has called for a swift decision by the Constitutional Court on the results.
“This escalation of violence that has been witnessed on an increasing basis could be completely counterproductive for the protesters, as all the conditions will be created for the decreeing of measures restricting freedoms in order to ensure public order,” reads a statement signed by Bar Association president Carlos Martins.
In the document, the OAM says that it has “received, with great concern, serious reports of illegal charges carried out by protesters at various points in the cities of Maputo and Matola”, which “aimed at ensuring the passage of vehicles so that they are not damaged, using stones and other blunt instruments”, but also “equally worrying and frightening reports of vandalism and looting in various commercial establishments”.
Such behaviour, “in addition to being criminal, jeopardises the right to demonstrate, as it conflicts with other rights of the same constitutional dimension”, the Bar Association says.
At least five people died and another 37 were injured in 51 demonstrations registered in the last five days of election contestation, the Mozambican police announced on Monday.
The OAM recalls that it has always believed that “peaceful demonstrations are the only weapon that citizens have to demonstrate their dismay with politics and with their difficulties” in life, “and the state must create conditions so that the exercise of this right takes place in an environment of public safety and tranquillity”.
“In fact, if the prohibition of demonstrations using public force generates fear and insecurity in society – and no democracy should inspire fear – it is no less true that this violence carried out by the protesters, with illegal charges, damage and looting of public and private property, also generates fear and insecurity,” the lawyers point out.
The Bar Association also asks that protesters responding to calls by presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane to contest the results of the general elections of October 9th, and who is expected to announce a new phase of protests this Tuesday, “avoid and refrain from carrying out acts of looting, violence and revenge”.
“Only in this way can the right to protest and its basis be defended. Neither the flaws in the distribution of wealth nor the difficulties in integrating young people can justify or distort the essential values of our society, which is respect for others,” adds the OAM. statement
For Mozambican lawyers, only the Constitutional Council, which is responsible for announcing the final results of the general elections of October 9th – with the opposition generally pointing out irregularities and urging an election re-run – “can, independently and equidistantly, contribute to the credibility of the electoral process, as a fundamental right”, and, “incitement or escalation of violence is not a sure path to democratic demands”.
“Therefore, it is imperative that this judicial body make a decision as quickly as possible to calm down and bring about the much-desired social peace, without losing sight of the social problems that political leaders must prioritise in order to achieve a more just society,” the OAM appeal concludes.
The demonstrations have been called by presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, who does not recognise the victory of Frelimo candidate Daniel Chapo, who was declared the winner with 70.67% of the votes, according to results announced by the CNE.
According to the CNE, Mondlane came in second place, with 20.32%, but he has said he does not recognize the results, still to be validated and proclaimed by the Constitutional Council, which has no deadline for the purpose and is still analysing the dispute.
Source: Lusa
