Mozambique Judge Urges Unified Democracy for CPLP Nations
Lúcia da Luz Ribeiro, President of the Constitutional Council of Mozambique, has called for the member states of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) to forge a stronger, unified front regarding the protection of democracy and fundamental human rights.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 14th Lisbon Forum, Ribeiro emphasized that while total constitutional standardization is unrealistic due to diverse historical and social contexts, the Lusophone world must find common ground on core civil liberties. “Fundamental principles, especially concerning fundamental rights and the issue of democracy—we could try to bring the constitutional texts closer,” she told Lusa.
Defending the Right to Life
A central pillar of this alignment, according to the 63-year-old jurist, must be an absolute commitment to the right to life. Ribeiro highlighted the abolition of the death penalty as a non-negotiable standard for the community. She noted that this issue was a critical condition for Equatorial Guinea’s entry into the CPLP and remains a benchmark for the organization’s integrity.
“Undoubtedly, there should be a firmer position regarding human rights on this issue of the death penalty,” Ribeiro stated. She recalled how many Portuguese-speaking African nations initially modeled their constitutions on Portugal’s legal framework following independence before evolving to incorporate their own unique national characteristics.
The CPLP as a Guardian of Stability
Ribeiro, who has led Mozambique’s highest constitutional body since 2019, also praised the CPLP’s role in navigating political turbulence. She specifically pointed to the importance of Election Observation Missions during recent high-stakes votes in Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau.
While the CPLP does not possess the same supranational legislative power as the European Union, Ribeiro argued that it has proven its effectiveness as a diplomatic watchdog. She cited the organization’s decisive response to past institutional breakdowns in Guinea-Bissau, where it condemned coups and even applied membership suspensions to defend the rule of law.
A 30-Year Evolution
As the CPLP approaches its 30th anniversary on July 17, Ribeiro remains optimistic about the bloc’s trajectory. Despite the economic and democratic disparities between members—which include Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor-Leste—she believes the organization facilitates essential growth.
“CPLP member countries are not all on the same level in democratic or economic terms, but there is growth that can be observed here,” she said. “The CPLP has existed for 30 years, and I think it has been helpful.”
Image: Pexels – Leonid Altman
