Mozambique’s Prime Minister urged SERNAP’s new head to tackle prison overcrowding and enhance conditions. Following significant inmate escapes amid protests related to election results and the cost of living, the government commits to policy reforms focused on justice and human rights amidst rising violence.
The Prime Minister of Mozambique, Maria Benvida Levi, has tasked the newly appointed director-general of the National Prison Service (SERNAP), Ilídio Miguel, with addressing significant prison overcrowding and improving facility conditions. She acknowledged that overcrowding remains a primary challenge despite ongoing management efforts. Levi emphasized the necessity for SERNAP to enhance prison conditions and support rehabilitation programs for inmates during her remarks at the swearing-in ceremony in Maputo.
Levi reiterated the government’s commitment to managing prison conditions better through oversight and policies aligning with justice, security, and human rights principles. Ilídio Miguel also promised to implement measures aimed at reducing prisoner escapes, emphasizing that security improvements are paramount. He indicated that a thorough assessment of existing prison conditions would be undertaken to fortify security.
In troubling developments, a mass escape occurred on December 25, when 1,534 inmates fled during riots at the Special Maximum Security Penitentiary and Maputo Provincial Penitentiary, resulting in 35 fatalities. Additionally, 200 inmates escaped from Gorongosa in Sofala province on February 3, triggered by local protests against the rising cost of living.
These unrests stem from controversy over the October 9 election results, which awarded victory to Daniel Chapo of the Frelimo party. Protests, fueled by rising living costs, have resulted in grave violence, claiming at least 353 lives since October. The Mozambican government acknowledged 80 confirmed fatalities and extensive damage to infrastructure, including schools and health centers.
Mozambique’s Prime Minister has called for urgent reforms in the prison system to address overcrowding and improve human rights conditions, entrusting new SERNAP head Ilídio Miguel with this responsibility. The ongoing unrest in the country worsens the situation, highlighting the connection between public discontent over government actions and the challenges within the penal system. Comprehensive assessments and effective management strategies are necessary for resolving these interconnected issues and ensuring the safety of inmates and communities alike.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
