338.The Ministry of Former Combatants was established in 2004/2005 in recognition
of the heroic struggle that Mozambican citizens waged for the country’s
liberation, and as a means of protecting and guaranteeing the rights of such
citizens.
Article 22: The Right to Economic, Cultural and Social Development
339.All peoples shall have the right to economic, social and cultural development
with due regard to their freedom and identity, and to the equal enjoyment of the
common heritage of mankind.
340.Article 11 outlines some of the goals set by the Mozambique State towards
economic, social and cultural development: “…d) the promotion of a balanced
economic, social and cultural development of the country;…h) economic
development and scientific and technical progress…”.
341.Article 97 of the CRM enshrines the fundamental principles of the economic and
social organization of the State as follows: “The economic and social
organization of the Republic of Mozambique shall be designed to meet the
essential needs of the people and to promote social well-being on the basis of the
following principles: a) labor development; market forces; c) the initiative of
economic agents; d) coexistence among the public, private and cooperative and
social sectors; e) public ownership of natural resources and means of production
for the benefit of everyone; f) the protection of the cooperative and social sector;
and g) the role of the State as regulator and promoter of economic and social
growth and development.”
342.Article 94 of the Constitution regards cultural and social rights as fundamental:
“1. Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of scientific, technical and
artistic creativity. 2. The State shall protect rights related to intellectual
property, including copyrights, and shall promote the practice and dissemination
of arts and letters. ”
343. Cultural rights shall include, on the one hand, the right to freedom of cultural
creativity, and on the other the promotion and development of a national culture.
344.In dealing with the promotion and development of culture, Article 115 of the
CRM says: “1. The State shall promote and develop a national culture and
identity, and guarantee the free expression of traditions and values of
Mozambican society. 2. The State shall promote the dissemination of
Mozambican culture and develop measures so that the Mozambican people may
benefit from the cultural gains of other peoples.”
345.O Article 118 enshrines the following principle: “1. The State shall recognize
and develop traditional authority as legitimized by the people and in accordance
with customary law; 2. The State shall define the relationship between traditional
authority and other institutions, and shall organize the role of traditional
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