Mozambique promulgates new Penal Code

Mozambique promulgates new Penal Code

Constitutional amendments of 1990 and 2004 meant that the Criminal Code of 1886 no longer was in line with the political, social, cultural and economic reality of Mozambique. This revision of the of Criminal Code is intended to ensure the enjoyment of rights and freedoms of citizens.

Article 4 of the Code provides that any detained or sentenced people, held under provisions of the Criminal Code no longer in effect, must immediately be released. The Code will come into effect 180 days after publication in the Government Gazette on 31 December 2014, thus 29 June 2015.

A copy of the Code is available here.