By Noémia Mendes
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – The number of children killed during the demonstrations in Mozambique has risen to 17, according to data published by the Civil Society Platform of Advocacy for Children’s Rights (Platform 3R).
16 children died from bullets fired by the Mozambican police (PRM) and one six-month-old baby died from inhaling tear gas at home, according to a report from the 3R platform. Organisations such as the CAME Network, ROSC, the Children’s Network, FDC RECAC, the Children’s Rights Observatory (ROSC and CESC) and OKHALA W’AMIRAVO are members of the Platform.
In addition to those killed, 43 children were victims of violence related to the post-election demonstrations, in Cabo Delgado, Nampula, Zambézia, Tete, Manica and Maputo provinces.
The ages of the children affected varied between six months and 16 years. The police were indicated as the force mainly responsible for the deaths. Most of the fatalities resulted from shots to the head.
Up until 5 December, the DECIDE platform reported a total of 90 deaths, 293 shootings and 3,493 detentions throughout the country since the start of the demonstrations on 21 October.
Nampula province was identified as the epicentre of the violence against children, presenting an alarming scenario which requires an urgent response from the authorities.
"These cases show the excessive use of force and the inability of the State to guarantee respect for the rights of children. It is unacceptable that, in the 21st century, children continue to be abandoned and unprotected, without any kind of assistance from the State”, said the report from the 3R Platform.
Among these stories of pain is the case of Alberto António, the father of 16-year-old Gildo António, killed by the police while he was selling sugar cane in the Namina market, in Nampula. “I don’t know what to do. My son wasn’t even on the demonstration. I want justice!”, exclaimed António in an interview given to OKHALA W’AMIRAVO in Nampula city. (NM)
