The Angolan government’s continued repression of political and human rights activists in the province of Cabinda has attracted the attention of Human Rights Watch. The organization has called on the Angolan government to immediately end its crackdown on Cabinda activists and to respect the rights of the people to assemble peacefully and protest. Since President João Lourenço took office in September 2017, Cabinda authorities have arrested and detained over 100 activists, charged with criminal association and rebellion, which carry criminal punishments of up to eight years in prison.
On March 25, 2023, police detained three organizers and 45 participants attending a human rights workshop in one of Cabinda’s private schools. The security forces did not present a court order nor provide identification or grounds for their actions. Witnesses said the security forces broke into one of the classrooms, detaining the workshop trainer, Evêque Kavada Rock, and seized training materials. The police arrested three workshop organizers the same day at their homes, including Cabinda Human Rights Association President Alexandre Kwanga.
Local activists have been seeking the right to peacefully demonstrate, which Angolan authorities have refused, a violation of the Angolan Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Angolan government has responded to the situation with violent crackdowns on peaceful protesters and activists, among other abuses.
It is disappointing to see a government deny its citizens their fundamental rights, particularly when Angola has been making progress in improving their human rights record over the past few years. The treatment of these activists is a flagrant violation of human rights, and the international community must pay attention to this situation.
The human rights situation in Cabinda has remained poor since President Lourenço took office in 2017. The continued arrests of activists fuel discontent among Cabinda’s population. Arresting people for simply advocating for their rights is not a solution; instead, it fans the flames of discontent and turmoil. The Angolan authorities should respect the rights of the people to peaceably protest and ask the government for a sustainable resolution to Cabinda’s grievances.
The Angolan government should address the situation, drop all the charges against those jailed without credible evidence of lawbreaking, and respect the rights of Cabinda’s people to peaceful assembly. The government should prioritize the human rights of its citizens and work towards inclusivity and stability.
In conclusion, the Angolan authorities should respect the rights of Cabinda’s people to peaceful assembly and ask the government for a sustainable resolution to Cabinda’s grievances. The international community should speak out against these violations and hold the Angolan government accountable for its actions. The people of Cabinda deserve to have their voices heard, and the repressive actions of the Angolan government must come to an end.
<< photo by Cherie Birkner >>
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