Trial of 15 Detained Peaceful Activists is a Travesty of Justice
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.
The 15 men were arrested and detained by Angolan security forces between 20 and 24 June 2015 in Luanda after attending a meeting to discuss politics and governance concerns. Amnesty International considers them to be prisoners of conscience and it is calling for their immediate and unconditional release.
“The continued detention of the 15 activists amounts to a travesty of justice as they have been arrested solely for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of association and expression,” said Muleya Mwananyanda, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Southern Africa.
“The charges against them must be dropped and state authorities must ensure their immediate and unconditional release.”
The 15 were formally charged on 16 September 2015 with preparing a “rebellion and a coup attempt” against the president. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of up to three years in jail or a corresponding fine. They were charged along with two others who are not in detention.
The jailed activists were only officially informed of the charges after the 90 days of pre-trial detention allowed by law expired. The charges are deemed crimes against the security of the state.
Several members of the group went on hunger strike to protest against their unlawful detention. One of them, Luaty Beirão, continued his hunger strike for 36 days and his health remains in a fragile condition.
Amnesty International has repeatedly raised concerns about the lack of independence of Angola’s judiciary in the past.
“The activists should never have been detained in the first place, as they were peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. Their continued detention is a sign of how far Angolan authorities will go to suppress dissent,” said Muleya Mwananyanda.
“Repeated calls for their release have gone unheeded. This trial will be a crucial test of the independence of the Angolan judiciary and an opportunity for it to show that it is impartial and beyond the influence of president José Eduardo dos Santos and his government.”