Mozambique: NGOs Praise Mozambican Government for Adopting 284 UPR Recommendations

What the report says

Three Mozambican non-governmental organizations have welcomed the government’s acceptance of 284 of 292 recommendations in the fourth cycle of the UN Universal Periodic Review. According to AllAfrica’s source article from Agencia de Informação de Moçambique, the groups were the Lutheran World Federation, World Vision and the Mozambican Forum for Monitoring the Universal Periodic Review. They made their remarks in a joint statement presented at the UPR session in Geneva, where the UN Human Rights Council examined Mozambique’s human rights record.

The organizations said the high number of accepted recommendations reflected a more constructive approach by the government and greater openness to international human rights standards. They also pointed to progress in laws and policies affecting women, young people, people with disabilities, refugees, internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups. The statement further described the inclusion of UPR recommendations in planning and budgeting as a positive step because it can help local communities take part in setting priorities and tracking results.

The accepted recommendations cover sensitive issues in Mozambique’s public debate, including judicial independence, access to justice, freedom of expression, protection for journalists and human rights defenders, elections, conduct by security forces and alleged abuses linked to and following the 2024 elections. The groups also noted commitments related to civilians and displaced people in Cabo Delgado, where Islamist violence has driven humanitarian concerns.

At the same time, the NGOs urged stronger action on gender-based violence, children’s rights, refugee and displaced-person inclusion, and civil society participation in monitoring implementation. They also called for preparation of the next national UPR action plan and for continued inclusive national dialogue as part of efforts to support peace and democratic stability.