Mozambican lawyer Elvino Dias, who was shot dead in October 2024 under circumstances that remain unclear, was awarded the Nelson Mandela Prize 2025, a posthumous tribute that generated a wave of emotion and indignation in Mozambican civil society. The award was given by the ProPública – Direito e Cidadania association, in recognition of his tireless commitment to justice and democracy.
The news was reported by the Lusa news agency, citing the president of the Mozambican Bar Association (OAM), Carlos Martins, who described Elvino as a true "fighter for the rule of law," whose struggle for human rights took place in the courts and in defense of the community. "It is a recognition of the work done by our colleague during his lifetime," stated the president, emphasizing the legacy he left to the Mozambican legal profession.
Elvino's widow, Esmeralda Sousa, received the news with satisfaction, but did not hide the emptiness and frustration at the lack of answers about the crime that victimized her husband. "As a family, we received the award with joy for everything he did for Mozambique and for democracy," she declared, hoping that the distinction would help accelerate the investigation, which has been stalled for more than seven months.
The Bar Association, which has joined the proceedings as an assistant, emphasizes that the delay in the investigation only fuels doubts about the true motives behind the crime. "The longer it takes, the more doubts deepen about the motive behind the murder," warned Carlos Martins.
The tragic murder of Elvino occurred in a tense context, marked by post-election unrest. Three days after the crime, politician Venâncio Mondlane left the country citing fears for his safety, at a time when demonstrations erupted in various parts of the country, causing destruction, clashes with the police, and an estimated death toll of nearly 400 in five months.
On October 23, thousands of Mozambicans gathered at the Michafutene cemetery, on the outskirts of Maputo, for a final farewell to the "people's lawyer," chanting slogans such as "justice" and paying a moving farewell to the man who dared to make advocacy a mission of public service.
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The Nelson Mandela Prize, which includes a monetary award of 10,000 euros, will be presented to Elvino's family on July 18th, Nelson Mandela International Day, the date that marks the birth of the iconic South African leader and symbol of the fight against apartheid.
According to the president of ProPública, Agostinho Pereira de Miranda, the choice of Elvino represents not only a tribute to his example of courage and service, but also a gesture of solidarity with all African lawyers who face extreme challenges in defending human rights.
