Amnesty condemns killing of Mozambican journalist Fernando Chamusse; demand investigation
Johannesburg, South Africa (PANA) - Amnesty International has condemned the deplorable killing of Mozambican journalist João Fernando Chamusse on 14 December at his house in Maputo and demanded prompt investigation and trial of suspects of the crime.
Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Khanyo Farisé, in a statement on Friday said the killing of Chamusse "comes amid a disturbing wave of death threats, intimidation, and harassment of journalists in Mozambique that is designed to silence dissent of a general election next year".
Khanyo said the Mozambican authorities must conduct a prompt, thorough, impartial, independent, transparent and effective investigation into the killing, as well as ensure that those suspected to be responsible are brought to justice in a fair trial.
The human rights watchdog said Chamusse’s family must be provided with answers and access to justice and effective remedies.
“The Mozambican government must uphold the human rights of everyone and send a clear message that any attacks on human rights including the right to freedom of expression and media freedom will not be tolerated," the statement said, adding that journalists and media houses must not be targeted for doing their legitimate work.
Amnesty International noted that journalists in Mozambique routinely face intimidation, harassment, death threats, violence and even killing before, during and after elections. The country held local elections on 11 October 2023, with a general election scheduled for 2024.
João Fernando Chamusse was the editor of the newspaper Ponto por Ponto and a commentator on TV Sucesso, which has faced increasing intimidation.
The statement said its CEO Gabriel Júnior, received death threats recently. On 24 November, the day that the Constitutional Court validated the results of the local elections, an armoured Police vehicle was parked at the entrance of TV Sucesso premises.
Amnesty International says it has documented significant human rights violations against human rights defenders, activists and journalists in Mozambique during the 2019 elections.
-0- PANA MA 16Dec2023
