UPDATE: Read Amnesty International’s press release on this Urgent Action here. Serrote José de Oliveira has recently begun a hunger strike in protest of his unlawful detention.
On July 28, Activist Serrote José de Oliveira was shot in the leg. This crime is believed to have been committed by men linked to Criminal Investigation Services (SIC), while the activist was livestreaming at a strike in Luanda. He was arrested and held in arbitrary detention. On August 1, the same day his family learned where he was being held, he was presented before a court in Luanda but not formally charged. On August 6, he was taken to the Comarca Central Prison, without his lawyers’ knowledge. His health condition is deteriorating but he has yet to receive medical attention for his gunshot injury. His family is yet to be granted access to him. Amnesty International calls on the Angolan authorities to ensure he has immediate access to all necessary medical care and to his family and, unless charged with a recognizable criminal offense, is immediately released.
PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: February 8, 2026
Dear Minister of Justice,
I am writing to express deep concern about serious human rights violations continuing to be committed against 33-year-old Serrote José de Oliveira, also known as General Nila.
On July 28, Serrote José de Oliveira – an activist and leader of UNTRA Movement – was shot in the leg while filming a live video at a protest against rising fuel prices in Luanda. Men, believed to be linked to Criminal Investigation Services (SIC).
Contrary to what had been officially communicated by the authorities, Serrote José de Oliveira was not taken to a general hospital but was instead transferred to the Talatona Municipal Command Station, where he was interrogated by several police officers. Since his arrest on July 28, Serrote José de Oliveira has had no access to adequate medical care for his gunshot wound. Nor has his family been able to be in touch with him. His lawyer saw him twice between July 28 and August 1 but has been struggling to access him since then. Despite him being presented before a court on August 1, he has still not been charged with an offense so the legal basis for his arbitrary detention remains unknown.
I urge you to take all necessary steps to ensure that Serrote José de Oliveira is immediately released. Pending that, he must be granted immediate access to all necessary medical care and to his family.
Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
Other Urgent Actions for this Case
- First UA Issued: [Angola 75.25]
Additional Resources and Ways to Act
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