In a letter sent to the President, João Lourenço, to which Lusa had access this Wednesday, FoA, a non-governmental organisation, recalls that the Angolan Constitution stipulates that peaceful demonstrations do not require authorization.
In the letter, the civic association expresses "repudiation against violations of the rights of assembly and demonstration" and "demands" the Angolan authorities to open an investigation aimed at holding the perpetrators and those responsible for the crimes of aggression committed against peaceful protesters on the 19th".
At least 22 protesters were arrested last Saturday, in Luanda, when they intended to participate in a march to demand the release of activists Luther Campos and Tanaice Neutro, both considered "political prisoners".
"It is recorded in the memory of Angolan society that the forces of maintenance of public order - during the government of President João Lourenço - have been selective in the use of force against peaceful protesters", reads the letter dated November 22, 2022.
The Constitution, says FoA, guarantees "any citizen the right to demonstrate, regardless of their political orientation, religious belief or race, but, however, some are prevented and others are allowed to carry out demonstrations".
According to the association, demonstrations in support of the President and/or his MPLA party (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola) "are allowed without anyone participating in them being the target of police brutality".
Regarding the acts of last Saturday, FoA "demands" that the President oblige State agents to respect universally recognized human rights, which are part of the Angolan legal system, "but which are systematically violated by State agents".
"These (state agents) who, by imperative of law, should be the first to respect and to ensure that they are always respected", observed in the letter signed by the executive director of FoA, Florindo Chivucute.
The document was sent to the President with the knowledge of the Ministers of Justice and Human Rights, Marcy Lopes, and of the Interior, Eugénio Laborinho.
