Mozambican gov't says no evidence of army violating human rights

The Mozambican authorities on Saturday said the investigation team found no evidence showing that the army violated human rights in northwestern Tete Province as some international human rights organizations accused last month.

Joaquim Verissimo, Deputy Minister of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs, called on those organizations to provide evidence of any violation acts made by the government forces in the coal-rich province.

Verissimo is in Tete province together with senior officials from the government to probe into the alleged abuse, rapes and executions of individuals by the government forces.

"Facts are visible here. We have not found any evidence of the allegedly executions; what we have found is that the kidnapping of local leaders is a crime committed by Renamo," said Verissimo.

"Renamo is responsible for the fear installed in the community; it is the main opposition that is causing all other problems."

The deputy minister said Mozambican government forces do not have, in its mission or objectives, mistreatment of civilians.

"So far, we did not hear of a single case that a woman was sexual abused; we did not get any testimony of mistreatment so we expect the entity that has alleged that to provide us with more details," said Verissimo.

Since last year, over 7,000 Mozambicans have crossed the border seeking asylum in Malawi, from Mozambique's Tete Province, following clashes between the government forces and gunmen from the opposition Renamo.

Last month, some international human rights organizations reported that refugees claimed that they fled army abuses, including summary execution of civilians. Enditem