Police Turn the Desperation of Displaced People in Memba, Nampula province, into a Business
Communities fleeing terrorist attacks in Memba district, Nampula province, report that officers of the Traffic Police (PT) and the Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) are illegally demanding money in exchange for allowing civilians to move toward safe areas.
Such acts constitute extortion of civilians in flight, a practice that violates core obligations under International Humanitarian Law (IHL), which prohibits the exploitation of civilians in situations of conflict and displacement, and breaches International Human Rights Law (IHRL) guarantees to freedom of movement, protection from arbitrary interference, and the right to life and security.
At checkpoints along the roads, displaced persons say they are being forced to “pay refresco” to police officers in order to escape killings. When they lack money, they are ordered to turn back under the false claim that the situation in Memba is “normalizing.”
