URGENT ACTION

JUSTICE FOR WOMAN SHOT IN THE FACE
On 5 March, designer Alcina Nhaume, 31, was shot in the face inside her atelier in Maputo, Mozambique’s capital, when security forces deployed to disperse protests in Michafutene, opened fire. A bullet pierced a metal barrier and struck her in the face, causing severe injuries. According to her doctors, Alcina Nhaume will never speak again, nor eat normally, unless she undergoes specialized surgery abroad. Despite the authorities' promises to investigate the incident, no accountability has yet been demonstrated. Alcina Nhaume remains in hospital as her health condition is still critical.

TAKE ACTION: WRITE AN APPEAL IN YOUR OWN WORDS OR USE THIS MODEL LETTER

Prosecutor General of the Republic
Américo Julião Letela
Av. Vladimir Lenine nr. 121
Maputo, Mozambique
Email denuncias@pgr.gov.mz

Dear Prosecutor General,

I am writing to express grave concern for designer Alcina Nhaume, 31, who was shot in the face inside her atelier, in Maputo, Mozambique.

On 5 March, Alcina Nhaume was going about her normal workday when, at around 3:00pm, protests broke out in her neighborhood Michafutene, with residents barricading the road. According to witnesses, Alcina Nhaume’s neighbors, the UIR-Rapid Intervention Unit (Mozambique’s security forces) had been deployed to disperse the protest, and soon after the police began chasing the protestors. As Alcina Nhaume was about to grab her purse to go home, she heard several gunshots. One of the shots went through a metal barrier in the window of Alcina Nhaume’s shop and struck her in the face. The images shared by her family show her face severely damaged. Parts of her mouth were on the ground, including some teeth, and her jaw was severely injured. Alcina Nhaume was hospitalized at the Maputo Central Hospital, where her doctors say she will remain for the next few months as her health is in critical condition. Her face is severely disfigured. She is currently being fed through tubes, and according to her doctors she will never speak again, and will struggle to eat, unless she undergoes specialized surgery abroad. Even with such a surgery, it will take time for her to regain the ability to speak.

On 9 March, the authorities said they would investigate Alcina Nhaume’s shooting. However, Amnesty International is concerned that this may be just an empty promise, as has happened many times before, and that the results of any such investigations will not be made public, nor will the perpetrators be held accountable. As per Article 58 of the Constitution of the Republic of Mozambique, “the state is responsible for damages caused by illegal acts of its agents in the performance of their duties, without prejudice to the right of recourse under the law.”

Alcina Nhaume is one of the more than 700 victims shot by the authorities since 21 October 2024, in the violent post-election crackdown in the country.

In light of the above, I call on you to promptly, thoroughly, independently, impartially, transparently and effectively conduct an investigation into Alcina Nhaume’s shooting, ensuring that the findings are made public and the perpetrators are held accountable in fair trials.

Yours sincerely,

Additional information

Alcina Nhaume is a young designer. She has her own atelier and was doing her bachelor’s in design at the Higher Institute of Arts and Culture. She takes care of her father and managed their household.
Alcina Nhaume’s doctors found traces of gunpowder on her face and attributed her injury to a gunshot. In line with their obligations under international human rights law and Mozambican law, authorities must guarantee comprehensive reparation to Alcina Nhaume, including adequate monetary compensation, comprehensive medical assistance and rehabilitation.

PREFERRED LANGUAGE TO ADDRESS TARGET: Portuguese
You can also write in your own language.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: 19 August 2025 
Please check with the Amnesty office in your country if you wish to send appeals after the deadline.

NAME AND PRONOUN: Alcina Nhaume (She/her)

Additional targets

Her Excellency Ms Albertina Maria Domingos Macdonald  
High Commissioner 
High Commission for the Republic of Mozambique
21 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 6EL
Phone: 020 7383 3800
Email: hclondon@mozambiquehc.co.uk 
Web: www.mozambiquehighcommission.org.uk 
Hours: Monday-Friday 09.30 to 13.00 & 14.00 to 17.00
Hours Consular Section: Monday-Friday 09.30 to 13.00
Consular enquiries by email: sectorconsular@mozambiquehc.co.uk 
Salutation: Your Excellency