Angola is an oil-rich nation in southern Africa emerged from a decades' long civil war as an emerging force in the world economic market. While the government's human rights record shows improvement since the end of the war in 2002, there remain areas of serious concern. Rapid economic development has improved the lives of many Angolans but also led to issues of corruption, unchecked urbanization, concerns regarding political freedom and democratization and increasing wealth disparity.
A wave of protests that began in early 2011 continues to thrive in the face of government restrictions on freedom of assembly and expression. Peaceful protesters in Angola are openly at risk of arbitrary arrests and police brutality. In November 2013, Manuel Hilberto de Carvalho, a 28-year-old opposition activist, was killed by presidential guards after being detained for putting up posters about the enforced disappearance of António Alves Kamulingue and Isaías Sebastião Cassule. The two activists and war veterans were abducted in May 2012, reportedly for organizing protests demanding fair pensions. In December 2013, the Prosecutor General’s office confirmed the two activists had been killed by state agents.
Angola continues to imprison people for crimes against the security of the state in an effort by the government to repress political dissension. Angola modified its security law; however the new legislation continues to make it a criminal offence to insult the Republic, the President or any organ of power of the state. The story of Nito Alves, a 17-year-old teenager, showcases the violent measures often used by the government against those who dare to oppose it. Alves was arrested in early September 2013 and held without charge for over two months for ordering 20 T-shirts with slogans against the Angolan president. While in prison, Nito Alves was kept it in solitary confinement for about three weeks, shared cells with adult prisoners, and had no access to medical care despite his deteriorating health. He was released shortly after starting a hunger strike to protest against poor prison conditions, but his trial is still pending. In February 2014, the radio journalist Queirós Chiluvia was convicted for slander and defamation after inquiring about screams coming from inside a police station in Luanda.
Angola re-elected President Eduardo dos Santos in 2012 to another term of office in elections deemed free and fair by the international community but skewed strongly in his favor due to constitutional changes and institutional issues such as access to media.
Millions of people face the threat of starvation and are already in a precarious situation as they have now lost their income as a result of lockdown regimes that are currently in place to combat the spread of COVID-19. Hunger should not be used for political campaigning. Anyone who does not have the means to make a living must be provided with food regardless of their perceived political affiliation.
Ahead of the planned livestream of a concert this evening in Luanda by Luaty Beirão – also known as Ikonoklasta – and MCK, two well-known rappers and critics of the …
Angolan authorities must immediately and unconditionally release the 17 activists arrested on trumped up charges, said Amnesty International today as demonstrations take place in several cities around the world to mark the first anniversary of their arrest.
Today’s release of human rights defender José Marcos Mavungo after the Angola Supreme Tribunal upheld his appeal against a six-year sentence is a long overdue triumph for justice, said Amnesty International.
The guilty verdict and sentences of jail term handed down to 17 activists on 28 March 2016 by the Luanda Provincial Tribunal are an affront to justice that must be reversed, said Amnesty International as it called for their immediate and unconditional release as Prisoners of Conscience.
On the launch of its 2015 State of the World report, Amnesty International USA urged President Obama to use his last year in office to bring U.S. laws and policies in line with international human rights standards.
International protection of human rights is in danger of unravelling as short-term national self-interest and draconian security crackdowns have led to a wholesale assault on basic freedoms and rights, warned Amnesty International as it launched its annual assessment of human rights around the world. “Your rights are in jeopardy: they are being treated with utter contempt by many governments around the world,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
International protection of human rights is in danger of unravelling as short-term national self-interest and draconian security crackdowns have led to a wholesale assault on basic freedoms and rights, warned Amnesty International as it launched its annual assessment of human rights around the world. “Your rights are in jeopardy: they are being treated with utter contempt by many governments around the world,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
The barring of family members, the media, diplomatic representatives, independent observers and the general public has turned the trial of 17 activists into a kangaroo court and thrown the independence of the Angolan judiciary into question, said Amnesty International today as their trial entered its fourth week.
The trial of 15 peaceful activists who have been held unlawfully for almost five months and charged with preparing “rebellion and a coup attempt” will be a crucial test for the independence of Angola’s judiciary, said Amnesty International ahead of their expected court appearance on 16 November 2015.