OHCHR Mozambique

Establishment of the Inter-ministerial Commission on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law as the National Mechanism on Reporting and Follow-up in Mozambique, leading to stronger inter-ministerial coordination on human rights and increased capacity by the Government to follow up on the recommendations from the human rights mechanisms. Improved capacity of justice officials (judges, prosecutors, investigators, and public defenders) in Cabo Delgado to ensure respect for human rights in the administration of justice, and improved access to justice with the judicial review of 112 cases of detention and release of 40 persons. Increased capacity of police and military personnel to respect and protect human rights, in result of technical assistance and training, in 2022-2023, of over 1,000 members of the Mozambican Armed Forces (FADM) in collaboration with the EU Training Mission in Mozambique (EUTM) and nearly 100 others in collaboration with the Ministry of National Defence, as well as nearly 600 members of the Mozambican Police (PRM) in Maputo and Cabo Delgado including 100 who received a comprehensive training in the district of Palma. Strengthened capacity of the National Human Rights Commission to monitor and address relevant human rights issues, particularly those related to internal displacement and in the context of elections. Greater awareness of restrictions on civic space, and increased capacity by civil society organizations to promote, monitor and advocate for human rights, including through engagement with the international human rights mechanisms and participation in legal and policy processes. Increased consideration of human rights standards in the debate on the media and broadcasting draft laws, as well as the bill on non-profit organizations and the bill on the rights of persons with disabilities. Greater awareness of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and ongoing development of a National Action Plan on Business and Human rights as a first step towards their implementation at national level. Development of important partnerships with State institutions, civil society, and UN entities (see section on Partnerships for more details).

The overall objective of this intervention is to support Mozambique in advancing a human rights agenda. The main outcomes envisaged included (i) stakeholders that are stronger to engage with human rights mechanisms; (ii) well equipped national human rights mechanisms capable to respond to human rights violations and ensure accountability for violation of these rights; (iii) create an enabling environment for human rights to flourish through the defense of civic space; and (iv) integrate human rights in development; and (v) human rights in humanitarian action. To achieve this, the OHCHR will work on 5 strategic areas as follows: GOAL 1: Strengthening rule of law and accountability for human rights violations GOAL 2: Enhancing and protecting civic space and peoples participation GOAL 3: Integrating human rights in sustainable development GOAL 4: Early warning, prevention and protection of human rights in situations of conflict and insecurity GOAL 5: Increasing implementation of the international human rights mechanisms outcomes