28/09/2015
JUA
Case No
Country
Mandate(s)
AGO 2/2015
Angola
Arbitrary
detention;
Freedom of
expression;
Freedom of
peaceful assembly
and of association;
Health; Human
rights defenders;
Independence of
judges and
lawyers;
Summary of the allegation transmitted
Alleged arbitrary arrest and detention of a human rights lawyer, his client and a
human rights defender, and sentencing of the latter. According to the information
received, on 14 March 2015, Mr. José Marcos Mavungo, Vice President of the
human rights organization Mpalabanda - Associação Civica de Cabinda, was
arrested by police officers without a warrant at a Catholic church and detained in
Yabi prison in Cabinda. Mr. Mavungo had been involved in organizing a peaceful
demonstration calling for better governance and in support of human rights in
Cabinda. On 27 May 2015, Mr. Mavungo was formally charged with “rebellion”
and, on 14 September 2015, sentenced to six years’ imprisonment by the Cabanda
Provincial Court. Due to his detention and prior health conditions, Mr. Mavungo is
reportedly in urgent need of adequate medical treatment. In a separate case, on 14
March 2015, Mr. Arão Bula Tempo, a human rights lawyer, and his client, Mr.
Manuel Biongo, were travelling on business near the border with the Republic of
the Congo when they were approached by an individual who pretended to be one
of Mr. Tempo’s former students. When they voluntarily following him to a nearby
office, which turned out to be the office of the criminal investigation police in
Massabi, both men were escorted to the police commander’s office in Lândana and
subsequently transferred to the Provincial Directorate of Criminal Investigation in
the city of Cabinda. On 17 March 2015, the two men were informed that they were
suspected of having committed the crime of “collaboration with foreigners to
constrain the State of Angola” and transferred to Cadeia Civil da Comarca de
Cabinda (Cabinda civil prison). On 13 May 2015, both men were conditionally
released pending trial.
Reply
A/HRC/31/79
110
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