AI Portugal considers that the presence of João Lourenço at the 50th anniversary commemorations on April 25 “would be an insult to all the fatalities of state violence in Angola in recent years.”
Amnesty International Portugal considered this Friday that it would be “an insult to all the fatalities of state violence” in recent years, the participation of the Angolan president, João Lourenço, in the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of April 25.
In a statement, Amnesty International reports that it handed over this Friday to the Portuguese Prime Minister, António Costa, “an obituary of freedom of expression and demonstration in Angola”which brings together cases of Angolan youth and activists, some killed by “police brutality”.
“The organization also considers that, given this reality, the arrival of João Lourenço at the 50th anniversary celebrations on April 25, It would be an insult to all the fatalities of state violence in Angola in recent years.”underline the document.
The President of Angola, João Lourenço, expressed his willingness to visit Portugal in 2024, on the 50th anniversary of April 25 and to celebrate together the 50th anniversary of his country’s independence, the following year.
“I am definitely available., everything depends on the will of the Portuguese authorities. If you invite me, I’ll gladly go.” Joao Lourenco said in a joint interview with Lusa and the Expresso newspaper.
The statement highlights that the obituary was delivered in anticipation of António Costa’s two-day official visit to Angola starting Monday.
Said obituary, underlines the statement, “gathers cases of young Angolans, some still minors, killed by police brutality in Angola since 2020, and that occurred with total impunity allowed by the Angolan Government, with whom Costa will meet”.
Amnesty International urges the Prime Minister of Portugal to include human rights in his work agenda as part of his visit, in particular the violations by the Angolan authorities of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, “which have already claimed the lives of dozens of people.”
This action, the note highlights, is part of an Amnesty International campaign in favor of freedom of expression and peaceful demonstration, with a focus on Angola, which also has a petition underway for the release of Gilson Moreira “Tanaice Neutro”, from which has already delivered around 2,200 signatures to the Angolan authorities.
“Tanaice Neutro” was sentenced, in October 2022, to a suspended sentence of one year and three months, for the crime of outrage against the State, its symbols and organs, for having made a video where he called the President of Angola, João Lourenço , “bandit” and “clown”.
He himself, who is ill, according to relatives, is still detained awaiting a response to the appeal filed by the Public Ministry before the Court of Appeals, for not agreeing with said sentence.
Source: Observadora
