Journalist was live-streaming a peaceful protest when she was forcibly taken into custody

Location: Mozambique, Maputo
Date: June 4, 2024

Women Press Freedom is profoundly alarmed by the detention of Sheila Wilson, a journalist affiliated with the Center for Democracy and Development (CDD). Wilson was covering a peaceful protest by former combatants in front of the United Nations headquarters in Maputo when she was taken into custody by police. Her colleagues from channel STV had their equipment confiscated by officers. Although Wilson has since been released, her detention raises significant alarm regarding press freedom and the treatment of journalists and activists by police in Mozambique. Women Press Freedom urges Mozambique Police (PRM) to conduct an independent and transparent investigation into the detention of Sheila Wilson and the seizure of STV's equipment.

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On the night of June 4, 2024, police intervened in a protest by former officers from Mozambique's defense and security forces in Maputo. Sheila Wilson, a journalist and activist was forcibly taken into custody while live-streaming the protest.

In a distressing video captured by Wilson and analyzed by Women Press Freedom, the journalist is seen shouting for help and denouncing police for attacking her as they violently take her away. Wilson was taken into custody by police officers without any legal justification or due process.

During the demonstration, STV journalists covering the event had their equipment confiscated by the police.

The police intervention reportedly caused chaos among the protesters, with about 200 people fleeing in panic due to the forceful approach by heavily armed officers.

The demonstration is rooted in historical grievances linked to the General Peace Agreement, which ended a 16-year civil war in Mozambique. Despite the peace agreements in 1992, 2014, and 2019, tensions have persisted, leading to sporadic conflicts. The recent protests and police action show the ongoing issues related to these agreements' implementation and perceived failures.

In recent years, attacks on the press in Mozambique have increased, ranging from death threats and beatings by law enforcement to murder. The killing of journalist João Fernando Chamusse in December 2023 highlights the deadly risks and the prevailing impunity for those targeting journalists in the country.

The detention of activist Sheila Wilson and the seizure of STV's equipment during the coverage of a peaceful protest are clear breaches of the press law, which guarantees journalists access to public spaces for their professional duties. These actions by the police undermine the principles of transparency, accountability, and the right to information. 

Women Press Freedom stands firmly against such violations and calls on Mozambican authorities to conduct a swift, independent investigation into these events. Those responsible must be held accountable and robust measures should be put in place to protect journalists and activists, ensuring that similar incidents do not occur in the future.

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