Refugees wallow in Mozambique jail months without charge

Published: 21/Jun/2019
Source: Centre for African Journalists (CAJ) News Africa

from ARIMANDO DOMINGOS

MAPUTO, (CAJ News) SOME 16 refugees and asylum seekers from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remain in detention six months after their arrest on unclear charges in Mozambique.

The 15 Congolese and their Ethiopian counterpart have reportedly been denied food and medical attention during detention in the northern Pemba city.

No criminal charges have been laid against them since their arrest in January.

The group was arbitrarily arrested after being handcuffed and allegedly beaten by police and immigration officers in Maratane refugee camp in Mozambique’s northeastern Nampula province.

Mozambican authorities attempted to deport seven of the refugees and asylum seekers back to DRC but they were turned back at Kinshasa International Airport after being denied entry by Congolese immigration officials.

Read further: http://cajnewsafrica.com/2019/06/21/refugees-wallow-in-mozambique-jail-months-without-charge/

Themes: Nationality and Refugees, Statelessness
Regions: Mozambique
Year: 2019