By Ryan Aliman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa
MAPUTO, Mozambique – After 2 years since its creation in 2009, the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) finally takes office as its first commissioners were sworn in by Mozambican President Armando Guebuza on Wednesday, September 5, 2012.
The CNDH is the first independent oversight body of its kind in Mozambique. It consists of 11 members chosen as follows according to law: three are elected by the political parties who hold seats in the Assembly, four are chosen by civil society, three are appointed by the Prime Minister, and one is chosen by the Mozambique Bar Association.
The ruling Frelimo Party and the main opposition party Renamo chose the three Assembly CNDH members. Two were elected by Frelimo, namely, Aminuddin Mohamad, a prominent imam in the country, and Alberto Viegas, a distinguished expert in educational and cultural matters in the northern province of Nampula. Renamo, on the other hand, elected Eduardo Namburete, the previous Renamo parliamentary deputy from 2004 to 2009.
Civil society groups chose Farida Mamad, Amilcar da Paz Andela, Maria Hunguana and Anastacio Nhomela; while the Prime Minister appointed Augusto Zacarias, Luis Nahe and Dalmazia Cossa. Augusto Zacarias shall serve as deputy chair of the Commission.
The Mozambique Bar Association, meanwhile, appointed Custodio Duma, a notable human rights lawyer, as the chairperson of the Commission.
During his speech at the ceremony, President Guebuza reminded the newly sworn in members that they have major role to play in upholding respect for the constitution and for the fundamental rights of citizens. “We should be fully aware that this fight can only be waged effectively, when each of us contributes, and we unite our efforts, convinced that poverty has its weakness and can be overcome in this country of heroes”, he said.
President Guebuza also added that launching the CNDH was an important step in building the democratic rule of law and in improving the constitutional principles of Mozambique.
The National Human Rights Commission is the highest human rights oversight body in the country. It derives its mandate from the Mozambique Constitution. It has the power to investigate alleged human rights violations, including summoning public officers to answer questions, and to issue recommendations on human rights matters.
Reports show that the planned priority areas for the CNDH include: addressing cases of torture and violence by law enforcement agencies, corruption in the judiciary, the rights of prisoners and detainees, alternative sentencing, outstanding ratifications of international human rights instruments, access to water, food, sanitation, education and healthcare, and strengthening of civil society.
For further information, please see:
AllAfrica – Mozambique: Giant Leap for Human Rights in Mozambique – 6 September 2012
AllAfrica – Mozambique: Human Rights Commission Takes Office – 5 September 2012
UK in Mozambique – Human Rights Commission created in Mozambique – 3 May 2012
Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa – Human Rights Commission in Mozambique – 15 April 2012
United Nations Development Programme – Mozambique to adopt a new mechanism to protect human rights – 16 September 2010
