The right to food in Mozambique : a conceptual critique on the applicability of the UN Convention on Economic Social and Cultural Rights

Abstract

The right to food is a fundamental right for children; it is an enabler of many other children’s rights including the most sacrosanct, their right to life. Without adequate food, there can be no life, good health, nor development for children. The violation of this right has a detrimental impact on them, they are often left motherless or even lose their precious and innocent lives because of the lack of adequate food. The human rights society try to fight against the encroachment of this right by compelling governments to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the right to food for their children, but in practice, the contrary remains the case. The most disappointing issue is the way states ratify international human rights treaties, and subsequently lay their provisions aside contributing nothing to the improvement of society. It is concerning to see countries such as Mozambique, rich in natural resources, with access to water and an abundance of land still being affected by chronic hunger and starvation. This is one of the factors that prompted this research. The main objective of the study is to conduct a conceptual critique on the applicability of the Convention on the Rights of the Child towards the fulfilment of children's' rights to food in Mozambique. Further, the study provides recommendations derived from the findings of the research. The study finally concludes that Mozambique is not compliant with international and regional human rights law obligations as far as protection, and realisation of the right to food for children is concerned. As state party to the CRC Mozambique is obliged to domesticate the provisions of the right to food for children at a national level and take all measures possible to ensure the fulfilment of this fundamental right for children. The state has a responsibility to reduce the infant mortality rate and increase life expectancy in the country through the adoption of measures that alleviate poverty, malnutrition, corruption and all the causes of starvation in the country.