Authorities have confirmed that five people were killed while eight others were injured during a protest against high fuel costs by taxi drivers on 5 June in Huambo Province. Amnesty International has received reports that 34 others were arrested for exercising their right to protest.

“The dispersal of protesters should always be an exceptional measure – a last resort only when non-violent means have been exhausted. Furthermore, the use of force in the dispersal of non-violent protests must be avoided. If it becomes absolutely necessary to use force, this must always be restricted to the minimum level necessary, and audible and clear prior warnings must be given. There must also be effective means of ensuring accountability for any force used,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa.

The dispersal of protesters should always be an exceptional measure – a last resort only when non-violent means have been exhausted.

Tigere Chagutah, Regional Director, East and Southern Africa, Amnesty International

Taxi drivers started protesting the high fuel prices on 5 June after the government’s decision to increase prices on 30 May. As a result, the price of gas has almost doubled from 160 kwanzas to 300 kwanzas/litre (0.26 USD to 0.49 USD).

Police used teargas and live ammunition to disperse the crowd during the 5 June protest in Huambo. Authorities confirmed that five people were killed, however this number has not been independently verified. Amnesty International has verified that the youngest victim was a 12-year-old child. Angolan National Police have claimed responsibility for the killings, saying: “It was unavoidable, and we regret the death of five citizens and the injury of others.”\

There must be a prompt, effective and impartial investigation into the events of 5 June to ensure that suspected perpetrators are brought to justice

Tigere Chagutah

“We are calling for the Angolan police to stop using excessive force when policing protests. There must be a prompt, effective and impartial investigation into the events of 5 June to ensure that suspected perpetrators are brought to justice for the killing of the five protesters and for the injuries to eight others,” said Tigere Chagutah.

Background

Angolan law enforcement officials regularly use excessive force to break up peaceful protests to suppress dissent.

On the 25th of May, the draft Law on the Statute of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) was approved by the National Assembly of Angola, ignoring harsh criticism from NGOs who say that the proposed law limits the right to association and gives the executive excessive powers to interfere in NGO activities. In 2017, a decree with the same intention of increasing control of NGOs was ruled unconstitutional by the Angolan constitutional court.

Four activists were detained for three days on 2 June for peacefully protesting the NGO Bill in front of the Provincial government and national assembly. They were released on 5 June but were issued with 30 days fine of 50,000 Kwanzas (80 USD) each.

The right to protest is under unprecedented and growing threat across all regions of the world. Amnesty International is running a global campaign to confront states’ widening and intensifying efforts to erode this human right.

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It is a travesty of justice that Tanaice Neutro remains in detention more than 500 days later.

Tigere Chagutah, Deputy Director for East and Southern Africa, Amnesty International

Tanaice Neutro was arrested on 13 January 2022 after he allegedly shared a video online in which he called Angolan President João Lourenço a “clown” and said the Angolan authorities are “ignorant”. He has been arbitrarily detained since then despite a court order for his release due to his ill health in October 2022.

He has been suffering from severe physical health conditions, including intense headaches and fever, and urgently requires surgery for a condition that prevents him from receiving proper nutrition. There have also been grave concerns over his mental health.

Angolan authorities must comply with their obligations under international human rights law and ensure that Neutro receives urgent medical attention.

Tigere Chagutah

“It is a travesty of justice that Tanaice Neutro remains in detention. Despite the court ordering his release, the Angolan authorities continue to refuse granting him liberty. He, along with all others who are being detained in the country merely for exercising their right to protest, should be immediately and unconditionally released,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa.

“Tanaice Neutro’s ongoing detention and denial of medical care may amount to torture and other ill-treatment. Angolan authorities must comply with their obligations under international human rights law and ensure that he receives urgent medical attention.”

Tanaice Neutro is a musician and activist who explores social issues in Angola, including poverty, corruption and the repression of human rights, in his songs. In October 2022, he was handed a suspended sentence of 15 months following his conviction on charges of expressing “outrage against the State and its symbols”.

Despite the court ordering Tanaice Neutro’s release, the Angolan authorities continue to refuse granting him liberty.

Tigere Chagutah

“Peaceful protest is not a crime and without it, we cannot contribute to debates on matters of public interest and initiate positive change. The Angolan authorities must immediately stop suppressing and criminalizing dissent and instead respect, protect, promote and fulfil the human rights of everyone including the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly,” said Tigere Chagutah.

Background

Globally, the right to protest is facing unprecedented threats. In its flagship campaign, Protect the Protest, Amnesty International is working to expose when the right to protest is being violated and support movements worldwide as they strive for positive change. The campaign calls on governments to send a clear message that protesters should be protected and to remove unnecessary barriers and restrictions to peaceful protest.  

Over the last three years, the Angolan authorities have shown their ruthless determination to crush peaceful dissent, including through the unlawful killing and arbitrary arrest of protesters. The authorities have introduced repressive measures targeting those who wish to exercise their rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

Angolan law enforcement officials regularly use excessive force to break up peaceful protests and suppress dissent.

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Over the last few years, Angolan authorities have demonstrated a ruthless determination to crush dissent and unduly limit the right to protest.

Vongai Chikwanda, Deputy Director for Southern Africa, Amnesty International

“Over the last few years, Angolan authorities have demonstrated a ruthless determination to crush dissent and unduly limit the people’s rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly,” said Vongai Chikwanda, Amnesty International’s Interim Deputy Director for Southern Africa.

“The suppression of the right to protest has sent a chilling message to activists. Some have been put behind bars, while others have been killed solely for peacefully exercising their right to protest.”

The past three years has seen a marked increase in repressive measures against those who wish to exercise their rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly in the country, including the unlawful killing and arbitrary arrest of protesters.

Tanaice Neutro is a popular artist who often uses kuduro, a type of Angolan music, to express himself about social issues in the country. He was arrested on 13 January 2022 in connection with a video he is understood to have posted in which he called the president a ‘clown’ and the Angolan authorities ‘ignorant’. He was tried in October 2022 and handed a suspended sentence of 15 months for causing outrage against state symbols. However, the judge ordered his immediate release on health grounds.

The suppression of the right to protest has sent a chilling message to activists.

Vongai Chikwanda

It has been seven months since the ruling, but Tanaice Neutro remains in prison where he is in severe physical and mental pain. He is experiencing severe headaches and fever and urgently requires surgery for a condition that prevents him from receiving proper nutrition. Despite his deteriorating condition, he has been denied necessary medical treatment by the prison authorities.

There are also grave concerns for his mental health and the denial of access to adequate medical care by the authorities may amount to torture or other ill-treatment.

Peaceful protesters killed

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Angolan security forces in various provinces used disproportionate force to deal with infringements of public health measures and peaceful demonstrations. Amnesty International and OMUNGA, an Angolan human rights organization, documented several peaceful protests that were met with police violence.

The organizations reported several killings committed by the Angolan security forces. For example, in January 2021, police shot and killed dozens of activists who were peacefully protesting the high cost of living in the mining town of Cafunfo in Lunda Norte province. Security forces also chased down protestors in surrounding neighbourhoods and forests. While the exact numbers of those killed and injured remains unknown, bodies were found dumped in the nearby Cuango River.

Activist Secane Lemos was shot by the police during a demonstration against police violence in February 2021 in Luanda. He was shot in the hip, where the bullet remains lodged to this day. He now relies on crutches to walk.

On 27 August 2022, 12 people were rounded up, arrested and tortured by 50 agents of the Angolan National Police and Criminal Investigation Service agents in Benguela after they attempted to demonstrate against alleged irregularities in the general elections held on 24 August. They were detained for three days and later released, even though four of them were not part of the protest.

Angolan authorities must stop criminalizing the right to peaceful protest.

Vongai Chikwanda

Between March and November 2020, Amnesty International and OMUNGA documented 11 killings by the Angolan security forces. The victims were between the ages of 14 and 35. The youngest victim was 14-year-old Mário Palma Romeu, also known as Marito. Justice is yet to be delivered for their killing. The police officer who allegedly killed Marito has been in detention since 2020 and was ordered to pay US$3000 to the victim’s family but the money has yet to be paid.

“Angolan authorities must stop criminalizing the right to peaceful protest. Peaceful assembly is not a crime. Authorities should instead guarantee the right to protest if they are committed to openness,” said Vongai Chikwanda.

Background

The right to protest is under unprecedented and growing threat across all regions of the world. Amnesty Internationalis running a global campaign to confront states’ widening and intensifying efforts to erode this fundamental human right. Angolan law enforcement officials regularly use excessive force to break up peaceful protests to suppress dissent.

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Mbapamuhuka Caçador’s disappearance amounts to enforced disappearance, a crime under international law.

Muleya Mwananyanda, Director for East and Southern Africa

Five-year-old Mbapamuhuka Caçador disappeared following the raid on 12 October by Rapid Intervention Police, which was sparked by a land dispute. Residents fear the boy may have been burned alive in one of the houses attacked by police as they unleashed violence on the community.

“Mbapamuhuka Caçador’s disappearance in Ndamba, following the raid by the police, amounts to enforced disappearance, a crime under international law. Angolan authorities must leave no stone unturned in ensuring his safe return,” said Muleya Mwananyanda, Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa.

“It is also deeply disturbing that the police were deployed with such force and brutality to resolve a domestic matter. Police have a duty to protect rather than terrorize people.”

It is also deeply disturbing that the police were deployed with such force and brutality to resolve a domestic matter

Muleya Mwananyanda

“Authorities must promptly, thoroughly, impartially, independently and transparently investigate the circumstances leading to Mbapamuhuka Caçador’s disappearance, make public the outcome of any investigation, and bring to justice in fair trial anyone suspected to be responsible. Authorities must provide the victim with access to justice and effective remedies.”

Police unleash violence against community

The raid was led by the son of Sr. Cunha, the former (deceased) Provincial Chief of Police in Namibe province, southern Angola. The attack was carried out on behalf of Cunha’s widow, Antonia Fernanda, as part of a campaign to forcibly annex Mucubai community land adjacent to her commercial farm.

Authorities must halt the forced eviction of the Mucubai community from their land and ensure that their welfare and livelihoods are secured

Muleya Mwananyanda

“Authorities must halt the forced eviction of the Mucubai community from their land and ensure that their welfare and livelihoods are secured,” said Muleya Mwananyanda.

Residents and witnesses said police arrived in Ndamba in the afternoon to raid and burn houses, including all the contents inside such as blankets, bed sheets, mattresses, clothes, shoes, food and water containers. The police also destroyed vegetable gardens and killed livestock belonging to members of the Mucubai ethnic minority group.

Five people were detained before they were released on 13 October without being charged. They were named as: Jose Mbapiluka, Mbakahako Muandjissamo, Mukamuavia Mbakahako, Tchimupepa and Zacarias. Mbakahako was forced by police to inhale a toxic gas which caused him to faint. While unconscious, the police handcuffed him and threw him in a police car.

Background

Forced evictions of rural communities such as this are widespread in Angola, particularly in the south where powerful individuals connected to the MPLA, the ruling party, have grabbed the communal grazing lands of the traditional pastoralists, aggravating their vulnerability especially in relation to food and water insecurity. The Mucubai are an economically, socially and politically marginalized and oppressed minority group in southern Angola.

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Angola has been characterized by an increase in brutal crackdowns on human rights in recent years, including repression of any form of dissent

Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International's Director for East and Southern Africa

In its new briefing, “Make the vote meaningful for human rights observance: Human rights manifesto for Angola ahead of the 2022 general election”, the organization details how Angolan authorities have increased their clampdown on human rights amid a deteriorating humanitarian situation compounded by drought-induced hunger in the country’s southern region.

“Angola has been characterized by an increase in brutal crackdowns on human rights in recent years, including repression of any form of dissent. Protesters, including young people demanding accountability and their socio-economic rights, have not been spared,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa.

As the country heads to the polls, authorities must outline their plans to respect human rights and ensure accountability for countless violations

Deprose Muchena

“As the country heads to the polls, authorities must outline their plans to respect human rights, ensure accountability for countless human rights violations, and access to justice and effective remedies for victims.

“Authorities must work with the international community to bring humanitarian relief to the victims of drought and hunger in the southern region.”

Unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests and hunger

At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the security forces responsible for implementing restrictions killed at least seven boys and young men by using excessive and lethal force.

In January 2021, police shot and killed dozens of activists who were peacefully protesting the high cost of living in the mining town of Cafunfo in Lunda Norte province.Security forces also chased down protestors in surrounding neighbourhoods and forests. While the exact numbers of those killed and injured remain unknown, dumped bodies were found in the nearby Cuango River.

Following the violent repression of a peaceful protest on 8 February 2021, the country’s Criminal Investigation Service arrested José Mateus Zecamutchima of the Lunda Tchokwe Protectorate Movement, which advocates for autonomy and self-determination of the eastern half of Angola. Accused of “association with evildoers and armed rebellion” and “leading the rebellion to overthrow the government”, José Mateus was subjected to an unfair trial and imprisonment. He has often been denied contact with his lawyer and family.

On 30 May 2021, police in Cabinda arrested and detained several protestors after violently ending their procession and confiscating their personal items. The demonstration was part of a wider five-province protest against drought-induced hunger, unemployment and the unaffordable cost of living.

Amnesty International is calling on the candidates in the upcoming election to publicly commit, if elected, to:

• conduct prompt, thorough, impartial, independent, transparent and effective investigations into all the killings and hold those suspected to be responsible accountable in fair trials;
• ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims and their families;
• bring to justice in fair trials all members of the security forces accused of using excessive and lethal force against peaceful protestors and provide access to justice and effective remedies for victims and their families; and
• work with the international community to promptly bring humanitarian relief to the victims of drought and hunger in the southern region

Background

While land grabs of communal grazing sites by commercial cattle ranches have progressively eroded economic and social resilience of pastoralist communities since the end of the civil war in 2002, millions of people in the south of Angola are now facing further threats as a climate change-related drought continues. Food and water are growing increasingly scarce, which has caused thousands of people to flee their homes and seek refuge in neighbouring Namibia. On 24 August 2022, Angola will have the fifth general election since the end of the civil war. The vote will allow Angolans to elect their president and parliamentary representatives.

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The harassment and intimidation of activists and repression of civil society organizations, who are merely exercising their rights and trying to hold a conference, is a worrying development for human rights in Angola

Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International's Director for East and Southern Africa

On 21 May, Angolan police prevented two NGOs — Omunga, and Associação para Desenvolvimento da Cultura e Direitos Humanos (ADCDH) — from holding a conference on peace building. The police blocked the entrance to Hotel Maiombe in Cabinda to prevent attendees from entering, saying they were following orders from their superiors.

“The harassment and intimidation of activists and repression of civil society organizations, who are merely exercising their rights and trying to hold a conference, is a worrying development for human rights in Angola — especially ahead of the August election,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa.

By preventing this conference from taking place, the authorities are showing their growing intolerance of criticism.

Deprose Muchena

“By harassing and intimidating the activists and preventing this conference from taking place, the authorities are showing their growing intolerance of criticism. The repression of independent civil society organizations, debate and critical views on issues such as the economy and human rights must stop.

“The muzzling of this civil society conference is reminiscent of previous election years, when human rights came under repeated attack. The Angolan authorities must stop targeting activists and civil society groups and instead respect, protect and promote their human rights and provide a conducive environment for them to operate.”

Guest speakers scheduled to present at the meeting included the economist Belchor Tati, human rights lawyer Arao Tempo, Father Celestino Epalanga of the Catholic Church, and Rev. Dr. Daniel Ntongi-Nzinga, a peace building activist and pastor of the Baptist Church.

The muzzling of this civil society conference is reminiscent of previous election years, when human rights came under repeated attack. The Angolan authorities must stop targeting activists and civil society groups and instead respect, protect and promote their human rights and provide a conducive environment for them to operate.

Deprose Muchena

The conference was not being held at a public venue. It was a private event that was taking place in a private venue. By banning attendees from entering, the authorities violated the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, which is enshrined in the Angolan Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to which Angola is a state party. Angola authorities must end the repression and harassment of independent Angolan civil society.

Background

Cabinda, which is Angola’s most militarized province, tightly restricts civic space. The province has been mired in an armed conflict between government security forces and the rebel group Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC).

Restrictions on the operations of civil society organizations and civic space have been increasing in Angola in recent months. On 9 April 2022, the police arbitrarily arrested 26 young people who were planning a march to demand the release of political prisoners. They were accused of disobeying and insulting the police.

All of the 26 detainees were eventually released, although the two organizers were convicted and made to pay fines.

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Millions of people in southern Angola are on the brink of starvation, caught between the devastating effects of climate change and the land diversion to commercial cattle farming

Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International's Director for East and Southern Africa

“Millions of people in southern Angola are on the brink of starvation, caught between the devastating effects of climate change and the land diversion to commercial cattle farming,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa.

“This drought – the worst in 40 years – has torn through traditional communities who had been struggling to survive since they were dispossessed of vast swathes of grazing land. The Angolan government must take responsibility for its own role in this dire situation, and ensure reparations to affected communities, and take immediate steps to address food insecurity in the rural areas of Cunene and Huíla provinces.”

According to the Association Building Communities (Associação Construindo Comunidades – ACC), a local NGO, traditional pastoralist families in the Gambos municipality of Huíla province are facing hunger. ACC reported that dozens of people had died of malnutrition since 2019, with older people and children particularly vulnerable. ACC, which has been distributing food baskets in the area, said people had resorted to eating leaves to survive.

Fleeing hunger

Angolans living in the Cunene and Huíla provinces have been especially hard hit by the persistent drought. The 2020/21 rainy season was abnormally dry, meaning the situation is likely to get far worse in the coming months. According to the World Food Program (WFP), the lack of rainfall in the period between November 2020 and January 2021 has already caused the worst drought in the last 40 years.

The drought has made the lives of traditional pastoralist communities very difficult and hunger has driven thousands across the Namibian border since the start of March 2021, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The IFRC reported that Namibian local authorities had recorded a total of 894 Angolan nationals in the Omusati and Kunene regions by March 2021. On 14 March 2021, the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation reported that large numbers of pastoralist families from Huíla and Cunene provinces had abandoned their homes to seek refuge in northern Namibia. In May 2021, Angolan NGOs reported that over 7,000 Angolans, mainly women with children and young people, had fled to Namibia, and the number is still rising. Angolan NGOs have referred to those who are fleeing to Namibia as “climate refugees”, to attract attention to the fact that the drought and the lack of resources in southern Angola are pushing them to migrate to Namibia as a desperate measure to survive.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has observed that “frequency and intensity of droughts has increased in some regions” including in southern Africa since pre-industrial levels due to global warming and that “the frequency and intensity of droughts are projected to increase particularly in the Mediterranean region and southern Africa”.

Land occupation

The situation in Huíla and Cunene provinces was precarious even before the drought. Food insecurity has increased partly due to the diversion of communal grazing land to commercial farmers, which has been happening over the past two decades after the civil war. In 2019, Amnesty International exposed how the Angolan government had diverted communal grazing land in the Gambos to commercial cattle farmers without due process.

The situation in southern Angola is a stark reminder that climate change is already causing suffering and death

Deprose Muchena

According to the government, 67% of grazing land in the Gambos municipality has been occupied by commercial cattle farmers. This includes large parts of Vale de Chimbolela, known to pastoralists as “the cradle of cattle”, and Tunda dos Gambos, the customary grazing commons for the region’s pastoralists. In its 2019 report, titled The end of cattle’s paradise, Amnesty International showed how the occupation of the more fertile land by commercial cattle farmers had impeded access to quality grazing land and thus undermined the economic and social resilience of pastoralist communities, undermining their ability to produce food and survive droughts.

Impact of climate change on hunger

Amnesty International visited traditional pastoral communities in Gambos municipality, Huíla province in 2018 and 2019. Researchers saw the struggle to produce food first-hand, and documented, for instance, the adverse impact on women as they bear the burden of tilling the land, taking care of the sick as well as children. They also had to  travel long distances (about 10km) to sell firewood so that they could buy food.

Three years on, the drought is showing no signs of abating.

The WFP has observed that as a direct consequence of the drought, malnutrition is peaking, and access to water, sanitation and hygiene is increasingly precarious with negative impacts on local communities’ health and nutrition.

In May 2021, the WFP estimated that 6 million people in Angola had insufficient food, with food insecurity most prevalent in the south of the country. It also noted that more than 15 million people are using crisis or emergency livelihood-based coping strategies, such as spending savings or reducing non-food expenses.

Amnesty International is calling on Angolan authorities and the international community to ramp up their relief efforts, including providing sustained and regular emergency food assistance and access to clean and safe water for domestic use and consumption in the rural areas of Cunene and Huíla provinces.

The international community, particularly wealthier states and those most responsible for the climate crisis, must take immediate action to fulfil their human rights obligations by urgently reducing emissions, and providing the necessary financial and technical assistance to the government and local civil society to support impacted communities

Deprose Muchena

“The situation in southern Angola is a stark reminder that climate change is already causing suffering and death. The international community, particularly wealthier states and those most responsible for the climate crisis, must take immediate action to fulfil their human rights obligations by urgently reducing emissions, and providing the necessary financial and technical assistance to the government and local civil society to support impacted communities,” said Deprose Muchena.

“In addition, Angolan authorities must stop diverting land away from  traditional communities in the rural areas of Cunene and Huíla provinces. They must ensure that those responsible for the granting of communal grazing land to commercial farmers are held accountable.”

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Across the region, media workers have been laid off, television stations suspended or shutdown, private press targeted and journalists intimidated in a heavy blow to the right to freedom of expression and access to information.

“What we have witnessed in the past year, as far as media and journalistic freedom is concerned, can only be described as a dark period,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa, on World Press Freedom Day.

“This blatant attack on independent journalism across the region – sends a chilling message that dissent and the uncovering of uncomfortable truths will not be tolerated. National authorities across East and Southern Africa must stop this roll back of media freedoms and ensure that media professionals are safe and protected to do their job.”

Angola

On 19 April 2021, the Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication (MINTTICS) announced the suspension of the licences of three television channels, Zap Viva, Vida TV and TV Record Africa Angola, resulting in the loss of hundreds of jobs. In its statement, MINTTICS alleged that the media companies were operating under provisional registrations and would remain suspended until the regularization of their status. The three media companies were taken aback by the suspension of their licences, as they alleged not receiving prior information or notification of any administrative procedure against them.

Burundi

In Burundi, four journalists were granted presidential pardon and released from prison in December 2020. They had been arrested in October 2019 on their way to report on clashes in Bubanza province and in January 2020 convicted of an “impossible” attempt to threaten internal state security, sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison and fined BIF1 million (US$525). Their release and the reopening of Bonesha FM radio in February are positive developments, but severe restrictions on media freedom continue.

Madagascar

In Madagascar, authorities issued a decree on 22 April banning all radio stations and audio-visual programmes “susceptible of threatening public order and security and threatening national unity”. The decree was later reversed on 26 April after strong backlash from civil society and media organizations. It was replaced by another decree forcing radio stations and television programmes to submit and uphold a ‘letter of commitment’ with the Ministry in charge of communication in exchange for being able to go on air, and maintained the ban on all radio and audiovisual programmes which include interventions likely to ‘threaten public order and security, to damage national unity or encourage civil disobedience’.

Mozambique

The threat to media freedom in Mozambique took a shocking turn on 23 August 2020 when a media house was petrol-bombed by a group of unidentified people. The group broke into the offices of the independent weekly newspaper Canal de Moçambique, doused them in petrol and set them alight with a Molotov cocktail, extensively destroying equipment, furniture and files.

The attack came four days after the newspaper published an investigative story alleging unethical procurement by politically connected individuals and senior government officials, involving natural gas companies in Cabo Delgado, at the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy.

Somalia

In Somalia, journalists faced an increasingly repressive working environment. They were beaten, harassed, threatened, subjected to arbitrary arrests, and were intimidated by the authorities, including by police, military and other government officials throughout south central Somalia and in Puntland. Authorities also restricted access to information. Three journalists were killed in Somalia since last year by the armed group Al-Shabaab and by other unidentified individuals. Journalists also faced trumped up prosecutions in Mogadishu and in Garowe, Puntland. Two of the journalists Mohamed Abdiwahab Nur (Abuja) and Kilwe Adan Farah were subjected to military court prosecutions.

Zambia

On 9 April 2020, Zambian authorities ordered the cancellation of independent television news channel Prime TV’s broadcasting licence. The decision was made after the station allegedly refused to air the government’s COVID-19 public awareness campaigns because it was owed money for airing previous state-sponsored advertisements.

Prime TV, which depends on advertising revenue to pay the salaries of its staff and other operational costs, remains closed.

Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe, freelance journalist and anti-corruption activist, Hopewell Chin’ono, has been the subject of police intimidation and harassment, having been detained three times between July 2020 and January 2021. He has spent more than 80 days in detention for exposing government corruption and supporting the right to freedom of peaceful assembly.

On 28 April, the High Court quashed charges against Chin’ono of communicating false information following months of persecution. The court ruled that the law used by the police to arrest him in January no longer exists.

However, Chin’ono is still facing trial for alleged obstruction of justice on another case.

During COVID-19, security forces used restrictions as a pretext to justify the harassment and intimidation of journalists and other media workers. At least 25 journalists were assaulted and arbitrarily arrested and detained while working. Journalists were frequently ordered to delete their videos or photographs without a valid reason.

“A vibrant, independent and free press is the cornerstone of any free society. It allows for the free flow of information and ideas that build countries,” said Deprose Muchena.

“Authorities must do more than pay lip service to freedom of expression. They must protect journalists, guarantee media freedom and provide a remedy for those journalists whose rights have been violated.”

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Muleya Mwananyanda, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Southern Africa said:

Amnesty International can today confirm that since 30 January, Angolan security forces have killed at least 10 people, as authorities continue to hunt down peaceful protesters whose only ‘crime’ has been to speak out against deplorable living conditions

Muleya Mwananyanda, Amnesty International's Deputy Director for Southern Africa

“Amnesty International can today confirm that since 30 January, Angolan security forces have killed at least 10 people, as authorities continue to hunt down peaceful protesters whose only ‘crime’ has been to speak out against deplorable living conditions.

João Malavindele, Executive Director of OMUNGA said:

“The exact number of those killed is not known as most protesters are still missing. Unconfirmed reports indicate that a higher number of activists remain unaccounted for, and that some bodies may have been dumped in Cuango river in the past two days hours.

The exact number of those killed is not known as most protesters are still missing. Unconfirmed reports indicate that a higher number of activists remain unaccounted for, and that some bodies may have been dumped in Cuango river in the past two days hours

João Malavindele, Executive Director of OMUNGA

“A video circulating on social media filmed on 30 January morning local time shows several bodies on the ground, as one police officer kicks and steps on the head of a severely wounded victim.

“Angolan authorities must launch a prompt, thorough, independent, effective, and transparent investigation into the killings and bring suspected perpetrators to justice in fair trials that meet international standards. Victims and their families must be granted access to justice and effective remedies.”

Background

Amnesty International and OMUNGA have been exposing the use of excessive, abusive and even lethal force by the Angolan security forces to deal with infringements of COVID-19 public health measures and peaceful demonstrations since 2020. The two organisations recorded 11 killings in 2020 by the security forces, but they believe the true death toll was likely to be much higher.

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What we are witnessing in Angola is a full-frontal assault on human rights. The state is using security forces to silence people and deny them their rights to the freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly

Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International's Director for East and Southern Africa

Amnesty International and Angolan human rights organization, OMUNGA, have documented numerous violations by law enforcement, including the killing of ten people between May and September 2020 by members of the National Police and National Armed Forces tasked with implementing COVID-19 restrictions. The youngest victim was a 14-year-old boy.

“What we are witnessing in Angola is a full-frontal assault on human rights. The state is using security forces to silence people and deny them their rights to the freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly. What’s even more chilling are the unlawful killings of Angolans, deemed to have broken COVID-19 rules, by security forces,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa.

“Angolan authorities must immediately stop the use of unlawful force by security forces, investigate violations and hold perpetrators to account. Instead of targeting protesters, the authorities should create a conducive environment for people to express themselves. Peaceful protest to demand that leaders do better is not a crime,” said João Malavindele, Executive Director of OMUNGA.

Recent wave of protest

Several recent peaceful protests, including one on 11 November against the high cost of living in Luanda, have been met with unlawful use of force by the police, with a number of protesters and passersby arrested, then released.

COVID-19 has deepened social and economic inequalities in the country, fanning hunger, unemployment and popular discontent. Since September, people have been regularly taking to the streets to protest against widespread hunger and poverty. Authorities have responded with unlawful force, with security forces using water cannons, rubber bullets, batons and tear gas to unlawfully disperse the protesters.

A peaceful protest criticizing precarious living conditions and calling for municipal elections was met with police force in the streets of Luanda and Huambo provinces on 24 October 2020. In Luanda, the Angolan National Police (Polícia Nacional de Angola – PNA) put up barricades to prevent protesters from gathering at the meeting point and arbitrarily arrested 103 protesters and passersby.

Those arrested faced a summary trial between 26 October and 1 November. The Luanda Provincial Court convicted 71 people for the crime of disobedience and sentenced them each to one month in prison, converted to a fine. The protesters filed an appeal, and the Supreme Court is yet to decide on the case.

Angolan authorities must immediately stop the use of unlawful force by security forces, investigate violations and hold perpetrators to account

Deprose Muchena

One day before the 24 October demonstrations, President João Lourenço’s issued a presidential decree, prohibiting gatherings of more than five people in the streets.

Following the thwarted demonstrations of 24 October, grassroots movements called for demonstrations across the country on 11 November to mark 45 years of independence. Authorities responded with violence, including shooting into the air and firing rubber bullets, killing one protester in Luanda municipality, Inocêncio de Matos, a 26-year-old university student, and injuring dozens of others. The autopsy is yet to confirm the cause of Inocêncio’s death.

Grassroots movements are preparing for another national protest on 10 December, to mark International Human Rights Day and Amnesty International and OMUNGA are urging the government to immediately stop using unlawful police force against peaceful protestors.

The two organizations are also calling for an end to the practice of arbitrary dispersal of peaceful assemblies and for full respect for the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly for all persons in Angola.

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Angolan authorities must guarantee that protesters can exercise their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, which are protected by the Angolan constitution and international treaties ratified by the country.

Muleya Mwananyanda, Amnesty International's Deputy Director for Southern Africa

“Angolan authorities must guarantee that protesters can exercise their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, which are protected by the Angolan constitution and international treaties ratified by the country.

“Past peaceful protests in Angola have been met with appalling brutality by the police, with demonstrators assaulted and arrested for no other reason than demanding accountability from the authorities. Amnesty will be monitoring the situation closely, and documenting any human rights violations. Staging a protest is not a crime.

ngolan authorities must allow and facilitate this protest to go ahead, and ensure people’s legitimate demands for accountability and reform are not met with violence or reprisals

Muleya Mwananyanda

“Angolan authorities must allow and facilitate this protest to go ahead, and ensure people’s legitimate demands for accountability and reform are not met with violence or reprisals.”     

Background

The protest on 11 November is planned to begin in Luanda at the parking lot of the Santa Ana Cemetery, and will continue to 1^o de Maio Square. Protesters are demanding that the Angolan Executive Branch lays out concrete plans on decent living conditions and costs of living for Angolans. They will also ask for the revision of electoral legislation and reform of the National Commission of Elections, to guarantee free and fair elections.

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Through interviews with friends and relatives of seven victims, as well as eyewitnesses, Amnesty International and OMUNGA have pieced together details about the killings. Angolan security forces have repeatedly used excessive and unlawful force when dealing with breaches of state of emergency regulations imposed to control the spread of COVID-19.

One teenage boy was shot in the face while he lay injured; another was killed when police fired on a group of friends practicing at a sports field. A state of emergency is no excuse for such outrageous human rights violations.

Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International's Director for East and Southern Africa

 “The stories we heard from relatives and eyewitnesses are harrowing. One teenage boy was shot in the face while he lay injured; another was killed when police fired on a group of friends practicing at a sports field. A state of emergency is no excuse for such outrageous human rights violations,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa.

“There must be a thorough, independent, impartial, transparent and effective investigation into these killings, and perpetrators must be brought to justice in fair trials. There must be proper oversight to ensure that Angolan security forces comply with international human rights standards when enforcing COVID-19 prevention measures.”

Amnesty International and OMUNGA were able to verify the killings of seven boys and young men by security forces. They received multiple eyewitness accounts of the police’s use of excessive force and firearms, which often targets disadvantaged communities. All the killings took place in poorer neighbourhoods. Both Angolan National Police (Polícia Nacional de Angola – PNA) and Angolan Armed Forces (Forças Armadas Angolanas – FAA) officers are suspected to be responsible.

On the evening of 13 July, José Quiocama Manuel, a motor taxi driver known as Cleide, was shot dead by police while he was on his way to a friend’s house in the Prenda neighbourhood of Luanda municipality. According to witnesses, at around midnight people in the neighbourhood started shouting that the police were coming. Cleide and Maurício, a 16-year-old boy, tried to hide, but a police officer fired at them. Maurício was shot in the shoulder and survived, but Cleide died instantly.

Cleide and Maurício, 16, tried to hide, but a police officer fired at them. Maurício was shot in the shoulder and survived, but Cleide died instantly.

On 4 July, 16-year-old Clinton Dongala Carlos was shot in the back by police. Clinton was returning from dinner at his aunt’s house, a 300-metre walk, in the Cacuaco Municipality of Luanda province. According to witnesses, Clinton was chased by a group of security force agents, two from the FAA and three from the PNA, and an officer shot Clinton in the back while he was running home.

According to witnesses, officers asked local residents for water and poured it on Clinton’s face as he lay injured. The neighbours, who were hiding in terror, then heard a second shot. When the officers left, they saw that Clinton had been shot in the face.

On 3 July at around 7 am, police shot and killed Mabiala Rogério Ferreira Mienandi, known to his family as Kilson. Kilson was at a sports field with a group of friends, who were playing soccer and dancing. According to witnesses a police vehicle approached and, without giving any warning, officers started shooting at the boys, who ran in all directions to hide. Kilson was hit by a bullet. According to witnesses, three policemen then got out of the car and approached Kilson. They kicked him three times and then drove off.

The authorities have used emergency measures to impose arbitrary restrictions on human rights. The ultimate aim of combating the spread of COVID-19 should be to save lives.

João Malavindele, Executive Director of OMUNGA

“The authorities have used emergency measures to impose arbitrary restrictions on human rights. Any use of force by security forces should be exceptional and must comply with the state’s international human rights obligations, particularly the obligation to respect and protect the right to life and physical integrity and security of the person. This is set out in Article 3 of the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials which states that law enforcement officials may use force only when strictly necessary and to the extent required for the performance of their duty”, said said João Malavindele, Executive Director of OMUNGA.

“The ultimate aim of combating the spread of COVID-19 should be to save lives and protect livelihoods. When state agents are responsible for the killing of people, it defeats this purpose.”

One young man with pre-existing health problems died during an incident where police intimidated and humiliated him.

On the morning of 17 June, 20-year-old João de Assunção was heading to the communal bathroom in his village in Palanca neighbourhood, Luanda province, when he was stopped by PNA officers. João said he would go and get his mask, but officers asked him to perform a somersault while pointing their guns at his face. João told them he felt tired and ill and could not, and an officer fired into the air next to his head, to intimidate him. João fell to the ground. The neighbours told officers that João had problems with his heart and hypertension, and he was taken to Hospital Cajueiros, where he died. The results of the autopsy have not yet been released.

João de Assunção, a hypertensive cardiac patient, was heading to the communal bathroom in his neighbourhood. Officers asked him to perform a somersault while pointing their guns at his face. He said he felt tired and ill and could not. An officer fired into the air next to his head, to intimidate him. João fell to the ground. and died later in hospital.

On the evening of 5 June, 15-year-old Altino Holandês Afonso went to see his grandmother and aunt at the canteen they owned. Shortly after he arrived, police began shooting in the streets, possibly to disperse people.

Witnesses told Amnesty International and OMUNGA that an officer chased Altino, who tried to run to his aunt’s home, and shot him in his lower back just outside the door. Witnesses also alleged that the officer who shot Altino was drunk.

The youngest victim in Amnesty International and OMUNGA’s investigation was 14-year-old Mário Palma Romeu, known as Marito, who was shot dead by police on the morning of 13 May. Marito had gone to buy sugar for his mother at the Tombas beach square in Benguela municipality, Benguela province. That morning, young men working on fishing boats on the same beach started a riot, and the police were called to intervene. A police officer shot twice into the air to disperse the young men. The second shot hit Marito’s head and he died instantly.

On 9 May, police officers shot 21-year-old António Vulola, known as Toni Pi, who had been hosting friends to celebrate the birth of his first child.  According to witnesses, at around 10PM Toni Pi and his friend André accompanied other friends to the public transportation stop. On their way home they saw five PNA officers beating and dispersing a gathering of young people and started running home as they were not wearing masks. The police officer fired at them and Toni Pi was fatally hit in the head.

Nobody should have to fear for their life, and the Angolan authorities must hold to account anyone who arbitrarily deprives an individual of their rights, including the right to life.

João Malavindele, Executive Director of OMUNGA

There are ongoing criminal investigations against the state agents suspected to be responsible for the deaths of Mário, Altino, Clinton, Mabiala Kilson, João, António and José Cleide. The association Mãos Livres is providing legal assistance to ensure that the human rights violations and abuses are promptly, thoroughly, independently and impartially investigated, those suspected to be responsible are brought to justice, and that the families receive justice and effective remedies, including adequate compensation.

“Angolan authorities should ensure that the ongoing investigation is swift, independent and impartial. Those suspected to be responsible for human rights violations and abuses must be held to account and families provided justice, truth and reparation.” said João Malavindele.

“Nobody should have to fear for their life, and the Angolan authorities must hold to account anyone who arbitrarily deprives an individual of their rights, including the right to life.”

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