Mozambique: Maratane Refugees Complain of Ill-Treatment

allAfrica.com: Mozambique: Maratane Refugees Complain of Ill-Treatment

16 June 2009

Maputo — Some refugees in the Maratane centre, in the northern Mozambican province of Nampula, mostly from the Great Lakes region in central Africa, have accused the commander of the local police post, Muriricha Chicopo, of abuse of power, reports Tuesday's issue of the Maputo daily 'Noticias'.

Among the alleged irregularities, the accusers mention detentions for refusing to give products on credit, and a ban on wearing clothes which might be confused with military uniforms.

One of the refugees, Bishop She-Ndaby, told reporters that such complaints have been reported to the provincial police command and to the managers of the centre. He said that such irregularities have reached "intolerable" proportions, threatening that this situation may lead to demonstrations, with serious consequences.

"Nobody can bear any longer the humiliation to which he is submitting us", said She-Ndaby.

He added that one of the refugees, only identified as Alijo, was arrested recently for playing dice, an activity that the refugees regard as simple entertainment, after work in the fields, and not a crime.

Another refugee, whose identity was not revealed, is said to have been arrested for wearing clothes similar to military uniform, which he claimed to have purchased among bundles of second hand clothes.

She-Ndaby said that the matter has been reported to the provincial police command, "but no action was taken to reverse the situation'.

Nampula Police spokesperson Oliveira Maneque expressed doubt about the refugees' allegations.

For his part, the centre's interim manager Antonio Mussupai said that he has never received any reports on such irregularities. "I have never been informed about this matter, but now I promise I will take steps to find out the truth".

According to Mussupai, the main problem with some of the asylum seekers has to do with attempts to disobey the legally established order.

"I will not comment on the issue of credit, because I do not know in what circumstances it happened, but as for clothes with military characteristics, the regulations prohibit it, because there (in the refugee camp) you can't circulate things that make people think about war. And as for the dice game, it is an illicit activity and measures must be taken against it", said Mussupai.

On his recent visit to the centre, Nampula provincial governor Felismino Tocoli advised the about 4,000 refugees in the centre to respect the local authorities and the laws of Mozambique.