authority in the country’s economic, social and cultural life in accordance with the law.” 346.Like most countries, Mozambique has adopted a full-fledged cultural policy as a means of encouraging cultural work in the country. The main goals of the country’s cultural policy are aimed at ensuring that the different layers of society enjoy a harmonious development whereby economic and social factors shall promote national rapport, conferring to each Mozambican a sense of identity, solidarity and nationhood, regardless of ethnic, linguistic, political, social or religious origin. 347.It was in this context that Presidential Decree № 13/2000 of 17 January was approved, outlining the powers and responsibilities of the Ministry of Culture. The manifestation and integration of the various cultural entities, namely European (of Portuguese origin), Asian (or Arabic, Hindu and Indian origin, among others) and African, and different religions (namely Brazilian, Canadian, American, among others) brought together people of various social backgrounds. This is what characterizes the complexity of our social and cultural mosaic. 348.Furthermore, the government has encouraged a number of communities like the Hindu, Mahomet an Indian, to conduct their religious ceremonies and cultural activities. For this purpose, these communities were encouraged to establish cultural centres. Article 23: The Right to Peace and Security 349.In terms of the Charter, all peoples shall have the right to national and international peace and security. The principles of solidarity and friendly relations implicitly affirmed by the Charter of the United Nations and reaffirmed by that of the Organization of African Unity shall govern relations between states. 350.In this regard, the CRM provides in Article 22 that: “1. The Republic of Mozambique shall pursue a policy of peace, resorting to force only in selfdefense. 2. The Republic of Mozambique shall give primacy to a negotiated settlement of disputes. 3. The Republic of Mozambique shall defend the principal of general and universal disarmament of every State. 4. The Republic of Mozambique shall recommend the transformation of the Indian Ocean into a nuclear-free and peace zone.” 351.Regarding the right to assistance in the struggle for national liberation, Article 17 of the CRM, dealing with international relations, states the following: “1. The Republic of Mozambique shall establish friendly relations and cooperation with other States on the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, equality, non-interference in domestic affairs, and reciprocal benefits. 2. The Republic of Mozambique shall accept, observe and apply the principles of the Charter of the Organization of the United Nations and the Charter of the African Union.” Articles 19 and 20 of the CRM, which have been quoted in the chapter dealing with the right to sovereignty and self-determination, strengthen Combined Report from the Republic of Mozambique to the ACHPR, 1999-2010 61