The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)
issued a press release on August 30 condemning the abduction of war veterans in
Angola. You can download here a PDF of the press release or read it below:
JOHANNESBURG, 30 August 2012
THE ICJ
CONDEMNS THE ABDUCTION OF WAR VETERANS IN ANGOLA
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) notes with concern reports
of the alleged abduction of two war veterans, Messrs. António Alces Kamulingue
and Isaias Sebastião Cassule, in Luanda, Angola on 27 and 29 May 2012,
respectively by a group of men who were dressed in civilian clothing and who
have been instrumental in the violent suppression of peaceful demonstrations in
Angola. Though this group of men has been reported to the police, it would
appear that this group acts with impunity. It is therefore feared that this
group is associated with or acts with the acquiescence of the internal security
police of Angola.
It is reported that the war veterans were preparing to participate in
demonstrations calling upon the government of Angola to pay pensions and
salaries owed to them. Furthermore, Messrs Kamulingue and Cassule were also
reportedly participants in certain anti-government demonstrations that have
been taking place in Luanda since March 2011 and which have been violently
suppressed.
The constitution of Angola requires that the Republic of Angola as a
state, be based on the rule of law and upholds the protection and promotion of
human rights. The rights to freedom of assembly and expression are specifically
guaranteed, along with compliance with international instruments, which
guarantee these rights, of which Angola is a state party. Law enforcement
agencies play an integral role in the protection of human rights and in taking
action against human rights violators. Where law enforcement agencies neglect
this critical duty, they contribute to the attack against the rule of law
itself.
“People have the right to exercise their human rights and freedoms
freely without intimidation, harassment or violent attacks against them.
Members of society who boldly take on the role of human rights defenders are
protected in terms of national, regional and international instruments”,
commented Arnold Tsunga, Director of the ICJ Africa Regional Programme.
“Enforced disappearances are a severe violation of human rights principles and
are banned completely under international law where they constitute a
continuing crime until resolved”, he continued.
The ICJ calls upon the government of Angola to urgently:
- Release Messrs Kamulingue and Cassule, if indeed they are in the custody of the Angolan authorities;
- Grant Messrs Kamulingue and Cassule access to legal counsel and their families in the event that the are charged with a recognizable criminal offence;
- Ensure that the matter of the enforced disappearance of Messrs Kamulingue and Cassule is thoroughly investigated, in the event that they are not in the custody of the authorities;
- Bring to justice those responsible for the abduction of Messrs Kamulingue and Cassule.
For further information,
please contact the ICJ Arnold Tsunga at arnold.tsunga@icj.org or +27 73
131 8411 or +27 11 024 8268. Director-
ICJ Africa Regional Programme
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