A Journalist Being Detained in Mozambique is Being Denied Medical Treatment

Amade Abubacar is a journalist who was arrested by Mozambican authorities in January after having reported on the civilian killings by armed groups in Macomia, a small town in the northern region of Mozambique. Over 100 civilians were killed.

Amnesty International's regional director for Southern Africa, Deprose Muchena, has said:

"Mozambican authorities must either charge Amade with a recognizable criminal offence or release him immediately and unconditionally and allow him to continue to do his job without fear of reprisals. His continued detention is a mockery of media freedom in Mozambique."

It is believed that Abubacar, who is being imprisoned at the Mieze Correctional Centre in Pemba district, is being physically assaulted and denied food and medical treatment. He is also being denied visitations as well as private consultations with his lawyer.

Muchena also went on to say that:

"We fear that Amade's health is now in critical condition and his life may be at risk. His original detention was an affront to media freedom and now the authorities seem intent on compounding this shocking injustice by keeping him in detention."

Amnesty International has since called for the journalist's release.