"There is sufficient legal evidence that the Government of Angola has engaged in abuse of power for decades and that the legal system targets critical and peaceful opponents to prevent political participation and [regime] dissent, creating a climate of fear in Angola", say the activists.
Recalling the arrests of various figures such as José Mateus Zecamutchima (leader of the Lunda Tchokwe Protectorate Movement), José Julino Kalupeteka (founder of the Adventist Christian sect entitled "Igreja do Sétimo Dia a Luz do Mundo") or the activists Gilson da Silva Moreira "Tanaice Neutro " and Luther Campos, the organization asks for US help to put pressure on the Angolan authorities.
All these detainees are imprisoned "unjustly and without warrant for exercising basic human rights", says Friends of Angola.
In the letter signed by the executive director of the group, Florindo Chivucute, and sent to the President of the United States, with the knowledge of the Secretary of State (equivalent to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in European governments) and several senators on the day that the USA marks the Martin Luther King Day, the organization remembers the famous activist's words to defend that "an injustice anywhere is a threat to justice anywhere".
"Angolans deserve the right to exercise their basic human and constitutional rights without fear of being illegally detained or their lives being threatened by their government", they say.
