"No one should be killed, arrested, or injured simply for being on strike. Angolan security forces must refrain from using unnecessary and disproportionate force during protests and follow due process before detaining those suspected of engaging in illegal conduct," said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International's Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa.
Amnesty International's appeal comes after, in its latest report, authorities reported 30 deaths, 277 injuries, and 1515 arrests in several provinces of the country, including Luanda, Benguela, Huambo, Huíla, Malanje, Bengo, and Lunda Norte, during the three days (between last Monday and Wednesday) of protests, marked by acts of vandalism and looting.
"Security forces have an obligation to ensure public safety and to respect and protect human rights during their operations, including when dealing with isolated cases of individuals involved in looting stores and destroying property," Amnesty's statement reads.
The organization calls on Angolan authorities to "promptly launch an independent, thorough, and impartial investigation into the killings and injuries resulting from this repression."
"The perpetrators must be held accountable in fair trials that comply with international standards, and the victims of the violations, and their families, must be guaranteed full reparations commensurate with the gravity of the violations and the harm suffered," it continues.
Amnesty also calls on authorities to release information about those detained by security forces whose whereabouts remain unknown.
