Treated with some superficiality and secrecy by the national authorities, the situation in Cabo Delgado is starting to draw the attention of the international community. On Thursday, September 17, the European Parliament discussed the issue and, in the end, passed a resolution expressing its deep concern regarding the deteriorating security conditions and the worsening humanitarian crisis in northern Mozambique, especially in Cabo Delgado.
Regarding the successive complaints of human rights violations by the Defence and Security Forces (FDS), the European Parliament argues that the Government should launch an independent and impartial investigation, remembering that Mozambique is part of the International Treaty on Civil and Political Rights, of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the United Nations Convention against Torture, which are instruments that forbid torture and other ill-treatment and arbitrary deprivation of life.
In its resolution, the European Parliament recalls that all foreign industrial and economic interests in Mozambique, whether from Europe or other countries, must be led by the United Nations guiding principles on companies and human rights. Besides, “the Commission is exploring mandatory due diligence commitments to ensure that European Union investors and those involved in the extractive industry act responsibly and contribute to local development in countries like Mozambique”.
The September 17 resolution deplores the use of private security forces in the conflict and regrets that the option inflates the monetary cost to the State, in addition to the fact that mercenaries operate without any international supervision.
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