Mozambique accepts 284 UN recommendations on human rights

The position was presented by the Minister of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs, Matthew Saize, during the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations (UN), at the ceremony to adopt the report of the fourth cycle of the RPU, according to a statement from the ministry released today.

According to the institution, the measure follows the interactive dialogue held in Geneva in May in which the African country received 292 recommendations made by 109 delegations. Following a national process of analysis, consultation and consultation, coordinated by the Technical Commission of the Interministerial Commission for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, the Mozambican Government decided to accept 284 recommendations and write down eight.

According to the ruler, the adoption of the report does not represent the closure of the process, but the beginning of a new phase focused on the implementation of the commitments made, through a participatory and outcome-oriented national approach.

“ The commitment to human rights is a pact with human dignity, justice, peace, the rule of law and sustainable development”, said Mateus Saize, quoted in the statement of the Ministry of Justice, Constitutional Affairs and Religious.

According to the executive, the accepted recommendations cover areas considered fundamental for the institutional and social development of the country and demonstrate willingness to deepen the promotion and protection of human rights.

With regard to the eight recommendations noted, the Government clarified that the decision should not be interpreted as a rejection of the principles of human rights, but as a result of a legal, institutional and social analysis that requires further deepening of the national dialogue.

Among the recommendations noted are some related to the ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the recognition of universal criminal jurisdiction. In this context, the executive recalled that Mozambique is not yet a Member State of the Rome Statute, although he recognises the importance of international criminal justice.

The government also stressed that national legislation already includes crimes of genocide and crimes against humanity, through the Criminal Code, as well as accompanying continental developments such as the Malabo Protocol of the African Union.

With regard to the implementation phase, the executive highlighted as priorities the strengthening of national mechanisms for coordination and monitoring of human rights, the strengthening of the rule of law and access to justice, the digital modernization and transformation of the Justice sector and the protection of the rights of children, women, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, is indicated in the document.

The plan also includes measures to strengthen the protection of children affected by conflicts and displacements, including in the province of Cabo Delgado, improving the conditions of the prison system and promoting alternative penalties for deprivation of liberty.

At institutional level, the Government highlighted the creation of the Interministerial Commission for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, whose first session took place in August this year under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, Maria Benvinda Levi.