Mozambique: Women Press Freedom Condemns Violent Detention of Sheila Wilson by Police
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.
WPF welcomes the judgment of the Fair Work Commission that found that broadcaster Antoinette Lattouf was fired by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) following a social media post by Lattouf sharing a Human Rights Watch claim about Israel's actions in Gaza.
WPF is deeply concerned for the safety of press workers in Georgia following the disputed elections marred by violence, allegations of vote rigging, and claims of electoral misconduct. Throughout election day, journalists reporting at polling stations faced assaults, intimidation, and obstruction, highlighting the growing dangers for independent media covering politically sensitive events in the country
Women Press Freedom stands resolutely in solidarity with Arzu Yıldız, an investigative journalist from Turkiye forced into exile after facing persistent threats and persecution for her work. Yıldız's experience is emblematic of the broader crackdown on press freedom under President Tayyip Erdoğan's regime, where dissent is aggressively stifled. We unequivocally condemn the targeting and persecution of journalists by President Tayyip Erdoğan's government.
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.
WPF is deeply saddened by the death of Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roschyna, who died under unclear circumstances while being transferred to a Moscow prison. The circumstances of her death remain uncertain, but one fact is clear: the Kremlin bears responsibility.
Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with photojournalist Fedorova, who was among three journalists arrested and charged with disorderly conduct during a protest in front of the Israeli Consulate on the second day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Journalist Ana Carolina Guaita was detained by suspected intelligence agents (SEBIN) from outside her home, with the reasons for her detention and her current whereabouts remaining unknown.
Photojournalist Deysi Peña and reporter Dayana Krays detained by police while covering post-electoral protests.
WPF is relieved that Pandey was released, we demand law enforcement discloses the purpose behind the unjust detention and why she faced aggressive interference on the job.
WPF firmly condemns the hostile environment and aggressive actions perpetrated by Maduro’s government and local officials during Venezuela’s presidential election on July 28, 2024.
Despite clearly identifying themselves as members of the press, photojournalists Patricia Huchot-Boissier and Arnaud Cesar Villette were detained for nearly ten hours and subjected to invasive measures, including the compulsory submission of DNA samples.
WPF condemns the detention of journalist and media personality Gönül Yılman Saygan at İzmir Airport.
Russian military forces detained Zhanna Kyseliova, editor of the Kakhovska Zoria newspaper, on June 27, 2024, in Kakhovka, Kherson, following a raid on her apartment.
A journalist from the independent French news portal Blast was arrested without justification by police while reporting on a protest at the premises of arms company Exxelia in Paris.
WPF is profoundly alarmed by the detention of Sheila Wilson, a journalist affiliated with the Center for Democracy and Development (CDD).
Victoria Roshchyna, a Ukrainian journalist who went missing in August 2023, is being held by Russia’s Ministry of Defence, WPF can confirm.
WPF expresses grave concern over the arbitrary arrests of political commentator Sonia Dahmani, journalists Borhen Bssais, and Mourad Zeghidi, and the detention of France 24’s Maryline Dumas.
WPF is gravely concerned by the escalating arrests, assaults, detentions, and obstructions faced by predominantly student journalists covering protests on campuses across the United States.
State Security detains Camila Acosta on route to relatives of political prisoners without justification
Nicole Gómez Cubillán, a correspondent for El Medio, was detained by the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) on April 21, 2024, while covering the National Popular Consultation, a nationwide referendum, in Lechería, Venezuela.
WPF unequivocally stands in solidarity with journalist Dina Ghalibaf and renowned cartoonist Atena Faraghdani.
WPF vehemently condemns the recent detention and subsequent deportation of Aleksandra Bielakowska, the Advocacy Officer for Reporters Without Borders (RSF), by the Hong Kong authorities.
WPF firmly condemns the ongoing detention of Palestinian journalists in the West Bank by Israeli occupying forces.
Police raided home and re-arrested SOTAVision reporter Antonina Favorskaya, while RusNews reporter Olga Komleva was also taken into custody.
Azerbaijani authorities have detained Sevinj Vagifgizi, the Editor-in-Chief of Abzas Media, along with the media outlet's director, Ulvi Hasanli.
WPF is deeply concerned by the detention of revered investigative journalist Rana Mamdouh while en route to a journalistic assignment in Ras al-Hikma.
Dicle Müftüoğlu, editor at the pro-Kurdish Mezopotamya News Agency, has been held in pretrial detention for over 7 months on charges of membership and leadership in the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a group classified as a terrorist organization by the Turkish government.
WPF vehemently condemns the aggressive and unjust detention of journalists Anna Sliva and Yulia Petrova in Moscow, while they were performing their duties in reporting on the peaceful Way Home Movement's protest.
WPF stands resolutely in support of Alana Rocha, who was subjected to open detention for eight months, community service in lieu of a fine, and ordered to pay 12,000 reais in moral damages following a defamation case in Bahia, Brazil.
In a morning raid on her home in Kocaeli on February 9, 2024, journalist Kirbriye Evren was detained by the anti-terror unit.
Almost a year after being convicted for “disseminating fake news,” a court in Kemerovo rejects Ponomarenko’s appeal against her verdict and sentence.
CFWIJ and WPF is deeply concerned about the recent detention of Safiye Alağaş, managing editor of JINNEWS and mayoral candidate for the People's Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party in Siirt province, Turkiye.
WPF strongly condemns the detention and late-night raid on the home of revered Crimean Tatar journalist Zera Bekirova.
CFWIJ and WPF demands an urgent investigation into the police violence against Natia Karchiladze and Ani Giorgadze
Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.