A press release issued this Tuesday by Amnesty International states in the investigation, conducted in collaboration with the Angolan human rights organization OMUNGA, that the victims are men, the youngest being 14.
For both organizations, the actual number of deaths "is likely to be much higher.
According to the document, through interviews with friends and relatives of the seven victims, as well as eyewitnesses, details of the killings were gathered.
"Angolan law enforcement agencies have repeatedly used excessive and illegal force in their response to violations of the state of emergency rules imposed to contain the spread of covid-19," Amnesty International reports.
Angola registered the first case of covid-19 in March of this year, to date 100 deaths and 2222 infections, and the Angolan authorities have implemented a series of measures to prevent and combat the disease, initially declaring a state of emergency and now a public calamity.
Among the measures to prevent and combat the spread of the new coronavirus, the mandatory use of masks in the streets, in closed public places and public transportation stands out.
The note highlights that the stories told by family members and eyewitnesses "are distressing".
"One teenager, who was already prostrate on the ground, was shot in the face; another was killed when the police shot a group of friends, who were playing on a sports field. The state of emergency in no way justifies such shocking human rights violations," said Deprose Muchena, director of Amnesty International for Eastern and Southern Africa, quoted in the document.
"It is imperative that a full, independent, impartial, transparent, and effective investigation of these murders be ordered and that the perpetrators be brought to justice and brought to a fair trial. There must be close supervision to ensure compliance with international human rights standards by the Angolan security forces responsible for implementing covid-19 prevention measures," the document reads.
The two organizations stress that excessive use of force and firearms by the police often targets the most disadvantaged communities, with all homicides taking place in deprived neighborhoods.
"Criminal investigations are underway against suspected state agents responsible for the deaths of Mario, Altino, Clinton, Mabiala Kilson, Joao, Antonio and Cleide," the document notes, stating that "Mãos Livres is offering legal assistance to ensure an immediate, thorough, independent and impartial investigation into human rights violations and abuses, so that those presumed responsible are brought to justice and the families of victims receive effective justice and reparations, including adequate compensation.
"Angolan authorities should ensure that ongoing investigations are agile, independent and impartial. Those suspected of responsibility for human rights violations and abuses must be held accountable for their actions and families must be provided justice, truth and reparations," said OMUNGA Executive Director João Malavindele.
The activist, quoted in the document, considers that "no one should have to fear for their life and the Angolan authorities should hold accountable anyone who arbitrarily deprives another of their rights, namely the right to life.
