GENEVA – UN human rights experts* today urged authorities in Mozambique to prevent and immediately stop the violence and repression of journalists, lawyers, human rights defenders and protesters and ensure those responsible are investigated and prosecuted. Following the country’s 9 October 2024 elections, consistent reports suggest violence and repressive measures used against protesters in peaceful demonstrations, which continued until 7 November 2024, caused at least 30 deaths, injured 200 people and led to the arrests of at least 300. “The violations of the right to life, including of a child, deliberate killings of unarmed protesters and the excessive use of force by the police deployed to disperse peaceful protests across Mozambique are very disturbing,” the experts said. “We call on the Mozambican authorities to promptly and impartially investigate all the unlawful killings.” Several demonstrations in recent weeks have contested the integrity of the electoral process. “Authorities need to take steps to halt the violence and ensure an environment in which all Mozambicans, including women and girls, can participate fully and equally in the political processes and express themselves without fear,” the experts said. “Law enforcement personnel have a duty to respect and protect those exercising their right to peaceful assembly, and officials must remain neutral and impartial throughout any protest, prevent harm and protect the right to life, liberty and security of person of those involved.” The experts said enforced disappearance in the context of electoral violence has a long-lasting impact on the States’ democratic fabric. Restrictions to media freedoms have also been widely reported, including attacks, intimidation and harassment of journalists, and intermittent internet and blocks to mobile network services. Human rights defenders reporting on the irregularities of the election process or participating in protests have been intimidated and threatened. “We urge Mozambican authorities to facilitate access to information for all and we condemn the widespread disruption of internet services, which has reportedly coincided with announced demonstrations and marches,” the experts said. They are in a dialogue with Mozambican authorities on these issues and are closely monitoring the situation. *The experts: Gabriella Citroni (Chair-Rapporteur), Grażyna Baranowska (Vice-Chair), Aua Baldé, Ana Lorena Delgadillo Pérez and Mohammed Al-Obaidi, Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; George Katrougalos, Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order; Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders; Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls; Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; Morris Tidball-Minz, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; and Alice Jill Edwards, Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent of any government or organisation and serve in their individual capacity. UN Human Rights, Country Page – Mozambique For more information and press inquiries, please contact Gabriela Guzman (gabriela.guzman@un.org) and (hrc-wg-eid@un.org) For media enquiries regarding other UN independent experts, please contact Dharisha Indraguptha (dharisha.indraguptha@un.org) or or John Newland (john.newland@un.org) Follow news related to the UN’s independent human rights experts on X @UN_SPExperts.