Death Registration

Mozambique

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Mozambique Death Registration Universal Coverage and Definition

Universal Coverage and Definition

Universal Coverage and Definition

Is death registration available and compulsory for all events occurring in the country's jurisdiction?

Yes

Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines

To increase death registration rates, the law should provide that registration is available and compulsory to all deaths occurring in every geographical area and for every population group in the country, without discrimination. Examples of possible discriminations are: sex; race ethnicity, religion or population group; marital status; nationality, citizenship, residency or regugee/asylum status; or any other characteristic such as prisoners or persons with disabilities
Law Source
UN Principles and Recommendations for a Vital Statistics System para 34
UNGOLF para 219

Mozambique Legal Analysis

Article 1 of the Civil Registry Code lists death as an event subject to civil registration and states that civil registration is compulsory. Deaths of foreigners are subject to registration when they occur in Mozambique.
Law Source
Law No. 12/2004 of 8 December 2004 (Civil Registration Code) Article 1

Is registration of death available to citizens living abroad?

Yes

Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines

The death of a national who is abroad should be reported and registered in the country where the death occurred either by the next of kin or other person with knowledge of death. The death should also be reported to the embassy or consulate of the home country of the deceased.
Law Source
UNGOLF para 365, 366

Mozambique Legal Analysis

Acts of civil status (including deaths) recorded abroad ( when proved by documents and consistent with public order) are permitted to be transcribed into the Mozambican register, according to Article 6 of the Civil Registry Code.
Law Source
Law No. 12/2004 of 8 December 2004 (Civil Registration Code) Article 6

Does the law provide a clear definition of death? If yes, does the definition accord with international guidelines?

No death is not defined by law

Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines

The provision of clear definitions in the law is an important tool to ensure the continuous and permanent recording of vital events in all areas. The UN's definition of death is: "The permanent disappearance of all evidence of life at any time after live birth has taken place (post-natal cessation of vital functions without capability of resuscitation)."
Law Source
UN Handbook para 9
UN Principles and Recommendations for a Vital Statistics System para 2

Mozambique Legal Analysis

There is no defintion of death in the Civil Registry Code. However, a definition can be inferred from Article 68 of the Civil Code, where death is considered to be the loss of vital signs, the irreversible cessation of brain function as well as the loss of a person in circumstances that do not give room for doubt of their death.
Law Source
Law No. 12/2004 of 8 December 2004 (Civil Registration Code) Article 68