afrol News, 16 November - Amnesty International has called for thorough investigations and prosecution of police officers suspected of unlawful killings in Mozambique.

In a report released today, ‘I can’t believe in justice anymore’: Obstacles to justice for unlawful killings by police in Mozambique, the organisation appealed to the government to ensure that all members of the police that resort to excessive use of force and unlawful killings should be prosecuted.

According to the report, since January 2006, at least 46 people have been unlawfully killed by the police in Mozambique. Amnesty International also called on the authorities to ensure that families receive proper compensation for their loss.

Director of Amnesty International’s Africa Programme, Erwin van der Borght said the families of victims face almost insurmountable challenges and only the most persistent and well-off have been able to get some small measure of justice. “Most others are left without any justice for the loss of their loved ones,” he said.

The organisation also stated that a number of prominent people including lawyers and activists have been killed, saying the bereaved families are being blocked by while trying to bring police officers to justice.

“The apparent unwillingness of the police to conduct effective investigations into all killings by police, the failure of superior officers to identify police suspected of serious human rights violations, and the tendency of police to protect other officers all contribute to the lack of justice in these cases,” said Erwin van der Borght.

The organisation called on the government to ensure that there are thorough, prompt and impartial investigations into all cases of police force that results in death or serious injury, and that the officers responsible are brought to justice.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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