In an open letter to the Minister of Justice, Marcy Cláudio Lopes, Amnesty International expresses its "concern for the arbitrary detention of the activist", reports the health problems that the musician is suffering and warns that "the denial of access to adequate medical care may amount to torture or other ill-treatment".
The non-governmental organization (NGO) for the defense of human rights calls for "immediately to release 'Tanaice Neutro', as ordered by the judge, and ensure that her conviction is annulled, since it stems solely from the exercise of her right to freedom of expression".
In a statement, where it exposes the letter, the NGO also appeals to the population to "take measures", suggesting: "Write an appeal in your own words or use this model letter for the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Marcy Cláudio Lopes" .
In the note, the organization clarifies that the activist was arrested on January 15 for involvement in videos he recorded where he says that the President is a 'clown' and the authorities 'ignorant'. And he was tried in October 2022, having been given a suspended sentence of 15 months in prison for offenses against state figures.
The judge, however, ordered his immediate release on health grounds. But six months have passed since the decision and the activist is still in prison, explains the organization.
"'Tanaice Neutro' is in great physical and mental suffering and the prison authorities do not allow him to have the necessary medical care", says Amnesty in the statement, defending that "the Angolan authorities must release him immediately and unconditionally".
"Tanaice Neutro" is a popular artist who often uses kuduro, a type of Angolan music, to express himself about social issues in the country.
The videos, for which he was arrested, were published in the media and expressed "frustration with the situation in Angola, including the levels of poverty, bad governance, corruption, and repression" and in these "he appealed to Angolans to defend their rights", describes the NGO.
In the videos, he also referred to the President as a "clown" and the authorities - whom he accused of abusing power by arbitrarily arresting people - as "ignorant".
"He was held in preventive detention for about six months, contrary to the law that establishes a period of up to 90 days. On April 22, 2022, he was initially accused by the Court of First Instance of four offenses (outrage, criminal association, against civil servants and rebellion) of which three accusations were later dropped as unfounded", the note points out.
The judge then ruled, on October 12, 2022, that he must serve a 15-month suspended sentence for provoking "outrage to the symbols of the State", in connection with the comments he made about the President and the authorities.
However, "after reviewing photos and medical testimony, the judge ordered his immediate release" for needing "urgent medical care".
The Public Ministry filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal, which is still pending.
In the letter addressed to the Minister of Justice, the NGO writes "'Tanaice Neutro' urgently needs surgery", "she has had severe headaches and fever" and "she cannot eat the food given to her".
"There are also serious concerns about his mental health as he has expressed suicidal thoughts on numerous occasions," he adds.
Thus, he also argues that "pending his release, he should be urgently granted access to adequate health care, including, if necessary, outside prison".
The NGO concludes the note by saying that "it is concerned about the growing number of activists and human rights defenders who are being targeted by the Angolan authorities for freely expressing their opinions, including 'online', which constitutes a clear violation of their right to freedom of expression".
