Ver Angola

Defense

Human Rights Watch advocates reform of Angolan security forces

Human Rights Watch (HRW) advocated a reform of the Angolan security forces this Thursday to promote a culture of respect for human rights and again called for an independent investigation of Saturday's events in Lunda Norte.

: Ampe Rogério/Lusa
Ampe Rogério/Lusa  

"Accountability for serious abuses by the security forces is essential to prevent their recurrence. The Angolan government must reform the security forces in order to root out greater respect for human rights and eliminate illegal behavior," Zenaida Machado, HRW researcher for Angola and Mozambique, said in a statement.

The position taken by the human rights organization comes in reaction to the events of 30 January in the mining town of Cafunfo, in Lunda Norte, where at least 10 people were reportedly killed by the Angolan security forces, and after Zenaida Machado requested an immediate and impartial investigation of the events in a first public statement.

Police violently suppressed last Saturday a demonstration called by the Movement of the Portuguese Protectorate of Lunda Tchokwe (MPPLT) in the town of Cafunfo in Lunda-Norte province.

The police officially counted six dead, 20 wounded, and 16 arrested as a result of an alleged act of rebellion attributed to the MPPLT, whose elements they accuse of attempting to invade a police station in Cafunfo.

The MPPLT contradicts the police version and its president said that Angolan forces fired indiscriminately at unarmed demonstrators, causing 15 deaths and 10 injured.

Amnesty International confirmed the death of at least 10 people, a number also validated by HRW.

"Angolan authorities must immediately ensure a rapid, independent and full investigation into the killing by security forces of at least 10 unarmed demonstrators on January 30, 2021, during a protest organized by the Lunda Tchokwe Protectorate Movement in Lunda Norte province," Human Rights Watch insisted.

The organization cites four witnesses who claim that the security forces fired indiscriminately at civilians demonstrating peacefully to demand better services, including water and electricity supplies.

In a reaction to the events, police chief Paulo de Almeida said the protesters were members of a sectarian group and rejected calls for an independent investigation into the alleged excessive use of force by police forces.

He also reaffirmed that the police "will respond with violence whenever the sovereignty of the country is threatened.

For HRW, the government must "publicly guide the security forces" to respect the United Nations principles on the use of force and firearms.

These principles state that security forces must "apply non-violent means before resorting to the use of force and firearms", and that "where the legal use of force and firearms is unavoidable, law enforcement officials should exercise moderation and act in proportion to the seriousness of the offense and the objective to be achieved, minimize harm and injury, and respect and preserve human life," HRW recalled.

HRW stressed that the intentional and lethal use of firearms can only be made when strictly unavoidable in order to protect life and that in the event of death or injury, a detailed report of the events must be submitted.

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