22. The Committee is concerned that the freedom of assembly and association is not always effectively guaranteed. The Committee is also concerned about allegations of arbitrary arrests and detention of participants in peaceful demonstrations, including those organized by the Mozambique War Veterans Forum, as well as the use of tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets and batons by police during demonstrations. The Committee is further concerned by the prolonged delays in registering the Mozambique Association for Sexual Minority Rights (Lambda), a non-governmental organization defending the rights of homosexuals (arts. 7, 9, 19, 21 and 22).

The State party should take all measures to ensure that individuals fully enjoy their rights under article 21 of the Covenant and that the right to freedom of assembly is safeguarded in practice. The State party should also investigate and prosecute persons allegedly responsible for arbitrary arrests and detention and bodily injuries inflicted in connection with participation in a peaceful demonstration and punish those who are found guilty. The State party should ensure that decisions on registration of non-governmental organizations, including Lambda, are taken without undue delays.

Link to full text of the report: Concluding Observations-CCPR-Mozambique-2013-eng