At issue is the decision of the Court of Appeal of Luanda that ordered the suspension of a national dialogue on the electoral legislative package", scheduled for this Thursday, which intended to encourage "reflection on the electoral legislative package" that is being considered in the National Assembly, with various segments of civil society.
In a statement released, the Angolan Bar Association (OAA) regrets the “unprecedented” decision that “represents an institutional aggression by the OAA”, an “attack on fundamental freedoms” and a “severe blow” to the democratic rule of law.
For the OAA, preventing this “plural, legal and technical debate on legislative matters of public interest” constitutes a “dangerous and unacceptable setback.
The Court of Justice's ruling ruled in favor of a group of lawyers who filed a precautionary measure against the OAA initiative, claiming that this entity does not have the power to promote an event of this nature.
In the decision of the Panel, which had as rapporteur Judge Lucas Júnior, the judges argue that the Statute of the Order does not include any attributions related to this event, so that an activity of this nature "is illegal", allowing the use of "public force" to apply the sentence.
The OAA counters what it says is an attempt to silence its mission to “undermine democracy,” pointing out that the suspended event “was not intended to legislate or usurp skills and that critical thinking “is not a subversive act.”
The OAA statement, signed by president José Luís Domingos, also mocks the speed of justice, noting that the precautionary measure was decided in 24 hours, showing that “procedural speed is, after all, possible when it is intended”.
In view of the “serious situation”, the OAA decided to file a complaint against the reporting judge “for violation of the duties of impartiality, reasonableness and respect for the constitutional limits of jurisdiction” and admits to appealing to the Constitutional Court “given the non-application of constitutional norms relating to fundamental freedoms and the statute of the Order.
The OAA promises further clarification on “the contours of this decision” in the coming days and called on all lawyers to unite around the institution, also calling for the mobilization of civil society, academia, students and all citizens.
Among the participants in the debate on the electoral package were the former president of the OAA, Luis Paulo Monteiro, the coordinator of the Angolan Social Political Observatory (OPSA), Sérgio Calundungo, the coordinator of the Angolan Electoral Observatory, Luis Jimbo, activists Luaty Beirão and Cesaltina Cutaia, journalists such as Reginaldo Silva and Teixeira Cândido (former president of the union), television commentators Bali Chionga and José Pakisi Mendonça and researchers Cesaltina Abreu and David Boio.
