The non-governmental organization (NGO) OMUNGA this Thursday denounced the use of violence and detention of young people and activists by Angolan police in the context of the post-elections, requesting an investigation into the state ministry.
OMUNGA emphasized that no exceptional circumstances, such as a threat or state of war, internal political instability or any other public emergency, can be used as a justification for torture.
In a letter sent to the Attorney General of the Republic of Angola, the NGO asks the Ministry of Public Affairs to investigate and prosecute the agents involved in the “detention of young activists”.
“At the same time, the Angolan state must be held jointly and severally and civilly responsible for the damage caused by members of the national police,” the organization added in a letter that Lusa’s agency had access to and signed by executive director Joao Malavindele.
Condemning the “wave of violence perpetrated by law enforcement and security forces against groups of protesting activists” in parts of the country, OMUNGA said the crackdown began after the National Electoral Commission (CNE)’s preliminary announcement of the election results on 25 August.
Subsequently, groups of young people with a strong focus in Benguela, in the municipality of Lobito and in Luanda took to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with the results, which were still preliminary at the time, he said.
“The Angolan National Police were called upon to intervene to maintain order and calm, but unfortunately they did so with the use of violence (torture) and the detention of protesters, as indicated in the reports below,” the NGO stressed.
According to the OMUNGA report, on August 26, dozens of young people, including children, took to the streets of the city of Lobito to peacefully protest against the preliminary results published by CNE, with the intervention of the national police, who used tear gas and firearms to disperse the protesters.
As a result of this police action, eight Benguela Revolutionary Movement activists and 11 ordinary citizens were arrested, for a total of 19 detainees, he said.
He stressed that on August 27, a group of young people organized once again to peacefully protest against the preliminary results, with the police dispersing and detaining about 20 protesters in the same “mode of action”.
“It is important to note that on the 27th, activists Avisto Mbota, Albino Elacoco, António Gomes, Maria do Carmo Correia and Mario Hulunda Raul were gathered in an apartment building where they were suddenly taken by surprise by the police, who started shooting, delaying less than a minute and brutally physically raped,” he added.
After five days of detention, the activists were released for free and peaceful demonstration “in accordance with Articles 47 and 48 of the Constitution of the Republic of Angola”.
“It should be noted that as a result of torture, aggression and cruel and inhuman treatment to which they were subjected, the activists have bruises and pains all over their bodies, and there is no medical examination to diagnose their condition. health,” he explained.
OMUNGA also denounced that on August 29, about 40 young people were brought before the Lobito District Court in a summary order on charges of disobeying an order and dispersing an assembly, stressing that the police officers involved were not present at the trial, that the Público Ministry did not find sufficient evidence of the crimes, and that “the principle of the presumption of innocence has been violated.”
On Monday, CNE President Manuel Pereira da Silva released the final protocols of the August 24 general elections, in which the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and its candidate João Lourenço were declared the winners with 51.17% of the vote. , followed by UNITA with 43.95%.
UNITA, the Angolan opposition, today filed an electoral dispute with the Constitutional Court (CC), demanding the annulment of the August 24 general election in which the MPLA was declared the winner, citing “several irregularities” in the process.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
