The Pan African Lawyers Union has released a statement to condemn the murder Advocate Elvino Dias and PODEMOS election agent Paulo Guambe.
PALU stands in solidarity with its members, the Ordem dos Advogados de Moçambique (Bar Association of Mozambique), and the Southern African Development Community Lawyers Association (SADC LA), at this moment of sadness and shock, upon the brutal assassination of Lawyer Elvino Dias.
“We have no doubt that Mr Elvino was assassinated due to his role as an Advocate representing the political formation PODEMOS, for which Mr Guambe was an agent. We send our sincere condolences to their respective families, friends, and loved ones and to the legal profession in Mozambique and Southern Africa.”
“We condemn the assassinations, which happened at a crucial time in the middle of an important electoral cycle for the country and region.” Kari Abdoul Bagui, the president, Pan African Lawyers Union stated.
PALU points out that these actions are a violation of the laws of Mozambique, of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and of the African Union (AU), amongst others.
PALU will immediately invoke the jurisdictions of the Special Rapporteurs on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, at the United Nations Human Rights Council (Prof. Margaret Satterthwaite), and the Focal Point for Judicial independence at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Hon. Prof. Rémy Ngoy Lumbu).
The lawyers will confer with their members, the Mozambican and Southern African lawyers associations, on what additional measures to take.
The United States has also condemned the killings of lawyer Elvino Dias and Podemos parliamentary candidate Paulo Guambe in Mozambique.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to their families and loved ones. We join the calls made by all four of Mozambique’s national political parties in urging a swift and thorough investigation. Those responsible for these crimes must be held accountable,” reads a statement from the U.S
“We urge all state institutions, political leaders, citizens and stakeholders to resolve electoral disputes peacefully and lawfully, rejecting violence and inflammatory rhetoric.”
“We also call on all Mozambicans to turn to peaceful means of filing electoral grievances and reject violence and violent rhetoric. The only means to challenge results and demand accountability is through the official complaint process.”
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