Penal and courts system reform needed to improve human rights record

Although the abuse of prisoners in Mozambique's jails has declined, human rights activists say much more needs to be done to reform the country's penal system. Alice Mabota, president of the Human Rights League (LDH), acknowledged a drop in the number of reported cases of police brutality against prisoners, but added that there was still cause for concern. Mabota told IRIN that since January, at least two prisoners had died in custody at a high-security prison in Maputo, the capital, as a result of severe beatings by prison warders. Many of the prisoners subjected to police brutality were poor. "They are usually accused of car robberies and theft, and the police want a quick confession," Mabota alleged. Rights groups have long complained about overcrowding in prisons, and have recommended that officials make greater use of open prisons. There are about 40 Open Prison Centres in the country, where long-term prisoners can be sent if they have demonstrated 'good behaviour' after spending a period in a conventional prison. One of the major concerns, Mabota said, was the long period that detainees awaiting trail were forced to endure before a court appearance. In some cases, they had already served more time than the sentence meted out by the court. It was common for suspects to be held in prison for months, or even years, before they were charged, although the law stipulated that a person should be charged within 48 hours of detention. However, Mabota acknowledged government efforts to tackle shortcomings in the penal system, noting that the recently elected government of President Armando Guebuza has shown willingness to cooperate closely with the LDH in a bid to improve the country's human rights record. Minister of Justice Esperanca Machavela recently promised to look into reforming the courts, adding that the government would soon introduce a bill to create a National Human Rights Commission.