Case History: Angola 15+2
After months of detention and judicial harassment, the human rights defenders from the 15+2 case were released and all charges dropped. In June 2016, the HRDs had been released from prison and placed under house arrest. On 28 March 2016, the Provincial Court of Luanda had sentenced them to jail terms ranging from two years to eight years for the alleged crimes of preparatory acts of rebellion and association of criminals.
In June 2015 the Angolan police arrested 13 human rights defenders, while they were participating in a meeting. They were reading Gene Sharp's From Dictatorship to Democracy and discussing peaceful methods of protest. Two days later, two more activists were detained. Authorities also charged two women activists - Laurinda Gouveia and Rosa Conde - but they did not detain them. The group of human rights defenders is known as Angola 15 + 2. Among the human rights defenders detained there are Domingos da Cruz, Afonso Mayenda (also known as Mbanza Hamza), Luaty Beirão, Manuel Nito Alves and Albano Bingo.
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- About
- 30 June 2016 : Supreme Court Orders Angola 15+2 to House Arrest from Prison
- 30 March 2016 : Human rights defenders from the 15+2 case sentenced to jail terms of between two and eight years
- 15 February 2016 : Summary conviction of human rights defender Manuel Nito Alves
- 22 December 2015 : Human rights defenders detained since June released and placed under house arrest
- 10 December 2015 : Four human rights defenders go on hunger strike pending trial
- 23 October 2015 : UN expert urges Angola to release 15 rights activists detained for criticizing the Government
- 19 October 2015 : Torture and ill treatment of human rights defenders arrested in June
- 15 October 2015 : Arrests and violence at a church service organised in solidarity with arrested HRDs
- 10 October 2015 : Fear for the Life of Human Rights Defender Luaty Beirão on Hunger Strike
- 28 September 2015 : Human rights defenders and youth activists waiting to be summoned amidst hunger strike
- 4 June 2015 : Several human rights defenders and youth activists arrested
Update February 2017: all HRDs from the 15+2 case have been released and all charges have been dropped
On 29 June, the Angolan Supreme Court ordered the 17 detained HRDs from the infamous 'Angola 15+2' case be moved from prison to house arrest. The status of the verdict and the charges they faced remain unclear pending further information from their lawyers and the court.
On 28 March 2016, the Provincial Court of Luanda sentenced the human rights defenders from the 15+2 case to jail terms ranging from two years and three months to eight years and six months for the alleged crimes of preparatory acts of rebellion and association of criminals.
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The 17 human rights defenders are Messrs Domingos da Cruz, Sedrick de Carvalho, Luaty Beirão, José Gomes Hata, Nito Alves, Afonso Matias “Mbanza Hamza”, Hitler Samussuko, Inocêncio Brito “Drux”, Albano Bingo, Fernando Tomás “Nicola”, Nelson Dibango, Arante Kivuvu, Nuno Álvaro Dala, Benedito Jeremias, Osvaldo Caholo, who were arrested in June 2015, and Ms Rosa Conde and Ms Laurinda Gouveia, who were also sentenced, but not held in pre-trial detention.
Of the judgments made against the human rights defenders, the most severe was handed down to Domingos da Cruz, who was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years' imprisonment for the crimes of preparatory acts of rebellion and association of criminals. Nuno Álvaro Dala, Sedrick de Carvalho, Nito Alves, Inocêncio de Brito, Laurinda Gouveia, Fernando António Tomás “Nicola”, Mbamza Hamza, Osvaldo Caholo, Arante Kivuvu, Albano Evaristo Bingo, Nelson Dibango, Hitler Samussuko and José Gomes Hata were all sentenced to four years and six months in prison for the same crimes. Rosa Conde and Jeremias Benedito received more moderate sentences and will serve two years and three months in prison. Luaty Beirão, who was convicted of “falsifying documents”, alongside the above-mentioned crimes, was sentenced to five years and six months in prison.
The human rights defenders' trial was marred with irregularities. On 21 March 2016, during the closing arguments, the Prosecutor's Office altered the charge sheet, dropping the charge of organising a coup d’état to overthrow President José Eduardo dos Santos, and including the new indictment of association of criminals, punishable with a more severe sentence than the crime of organising a coup. This new charge was therefore not subjected to analysis by the defendants' lawyers.
The human rights defenders were formally informed of their indictment on 8 October 2015, when the maximum period for pre-trial prison, 90 days according to Angolan law, had already expired. Domingos da Cruz was arrested on 21 June 2015 following the arrest of Afonso Mayenda, Luaty Beirão, Manuel Nito Alves, Albano Bingo and nine youth activists on 20 June 2015, during a conference on the ''Philosophy of peaceful revolution'', given by Domingos da Cruz, in the neighbourhood of Vila Alice in Luanda. Laurinda Gouveia and Rosa Conde were not amongst those detained, but they were also charged.
Lawyers for the human rights defenders have five days to file an appeal before the Supreme Court.
Front Line Defenders is gravely concerned by the conviction of the 17 human rights defenders, as it believes the judicial action against them to be solely motivated by their peaceful and legitimate work in the defence of human rights. Further concern is expressed by the irregularities that marked the trial. Front Line Defenders calls on the Angolan authorities to repeal the sentence against the human rights defenders.
On 8 February 2016, human rights defender Mr Manuel Nito Alves was sentenced to six months' imprisonment in a summary trial.
He was convicted of disturbing the order of the Tribunal Provincial de Luanda (Provincial Court of Luanda) during the trial of seventeen Angolan human rights defenders, of which he is one, known as the 15+2 case.
Manuel Nito Alves is a member of the Movimento Revolucionário (Revolutionary Movement), a youth group which peacefully advocates for human rights, democracy and accountability in Angola. Since 2012, the Movement has been known for organising peaceful demonstrations demanding better living conditions for the Angolan population and an end to human rights abuses in the country. These demonstrations have been regularly repressed by the police in the country's capital of Luanda. Manuel Nito Alves has also been vocal in defending freedom of speech and the right to peaceful assembly in Angola.
During the court session in the trial of the 17 human rights defenders on 8 February 2016, while Nito Alves' father was being interrogated, the human rights defender raised his voice and stated, “I do not fear for my life; this trial is a farce” (“Não temo pela minha vida e este julgamento é uma palhaçada"). He was silenced by the presiding judge, Mr Januário Domingos, who immediately opened a summary legal procedure against him and sentenced him to 6 months' imprisonment and the payment of a fine of AKZ 50,000 (approximately €284) for contempt of court. The sentence came into force immediately and the human rights defender, who had been detained under house arrest for approximately 50 days prior to the sentencing, was transferred to the prison of the district of Viana on the same day.
The human rights defender still faces up to three years imprisonment on charges of preparatory acts of rebellion and for organising a coup against President José Eduardo dos Santos. He was arrested on 20 June 2015, along with 14 others human rights defenders. Two women human rights defenders, Ms Laurinda Gouveia and Ms Rosa Conde, are also being prosecuted but they are not in detention.
Front Line Defenders is concerned by the summary conviction of Manuel Nito Alves, which appears to be grossly disproportionate. Furthermore, Front Line Defenders reiterates its call to halt proceedings against the 17 human rights defenders and youth activists, as it believes them to be directly linked to their legitimate activities in the defence of human rights.
On 18 December 2015 fifteen human rights defenders who were arrested in June 2015 were released from prison and placed under house arrest following a decision issued on 15 December 2015 by the Provincial Court of Luanda.
They will remain under house arrest pending their trial that will resume on 11 January 2016.
The 15 human rights defenders were arrested as they attended a conference on the ''Philosophy of peaceful revolution'', which was given by Mr Domingos da Cruz in the neighbourhood of Vila Alice in Luanda. The other 14 human rights defenders are Messrs Sedrick de Carvalho, Luaty Beirão, José Gomes Hata Nito Alves, Afonso Matias “Mbanza Hamza”, Hitler Samussuko, Inocêncio Brito “Drux”, Albano Bingo, Fernando Tomás “Nicola”, Nelson Dibango, Arante Kivuvu, Nuno Álvaro Dala, Benedito Jeremias and Osvaldo Caholo .
This latest development in the case follows a decision issued on 15 December 2015 by judge Mr Januário Domingos José, from the 14th Section of the Provincial Court of Luanda (Tribunal Provincial de Luanda),in which he granted a request for alternative measures of detention in the defendants' case. The request was presented earlier on the same day by the Public Prosecutor's Office (Ministério Público) in which Angola's new legislation on Preventive Measures in Criminal Proceedings (Lei das Medidas Cautelares em Processo Penal) was used to support it. According to this new law, it is only possible to keep someone in preventive detention if the person has been accused of having committed crimes punishable by three years in prison or more, which is not the case for the 15 human rights defenders.
Judge Januário Domingos ruled based on the principle that the law which
is more favourable to the defendants applied, and accepted the request. The new law came into effect on Friday 18 December 2015 when the human rights defenders were finally released and placed under house arrest.
The human rights defenders are being tried for allegedly preparing a coup d’état to overthrow President José Eduardo dos Santos and for preparatory acts of rebellion. Among the defendants are Mss Rosa Conde and Laurinda Gouveia, neither of whom have been held in detention to date. The human rights defenders' trial started on 15 November 2015, after approximately four months of pre-trial detention, and will resume on 11 January 2015. The defence claims that the court has adopted dilatory tactics to postpone the verdict.
Front Line Defenders welcomes the decision to place the human rights defenders under house arrest but remains concerned at the on-going trial against them on charges which have no substance. Front Line Defenders calls on the authorities to immediately and unconditionally acquit the human rights defenders, as it is believed that their prosecution is an attempt to prevent them from carrying out their peaceful and legitimate work in defence of human rights.
On 10 December 2015 four out of the seventeen human rights defenders being judged for preparatory acts of rebellion and for organising a coup against President José Eduardo dos Santos initiated a hunger strike.
Messrs Sedrick de Carvalho, Luaty Beirão, Domingos da Cruz and José Gomes Hata decided to go on hunger strike to protest delays in the trial.
Sedrick de Carvalho, Luaty Beirão, Domingos da Cruz and José Gomes Hata were arrested in June 2015 along with 11 other human rights defenders as they attended a conference on the ''Philosophy of peaceful revolution'', which was given by Domingos da Cruz in the neighbourhood of Vila Alice in Luanda. The other human rights defenders are Nito Alves, Afonso Matias “Mbanza Hamza”, Hitler Samussuko, Inocêncio Brito “Drux”, Albano Bingo, Fernando Tomás “Nicola”, Nelson Dibango, Arante Kivuvu, Nuno Álvaro Dala, Benedito Jeremias and Osvaldo Caholo.
The human rights defenders were charged for allegedly preparing a coup d’état to overthrow President José Eduardo dos Santos and for preparatory acts of rebellion. Among the defendants also figure Mss Rosa Conde and Laurinda Gouveia, who remain at liberty. The human rights defenders' trial started on 15 November 2015, after approximately four months of pre-trial detention. The defence claims that the court has adopted dilatory tactics to postpone the verdict.
This is the second time the human rights defenders start a hunger strike to raise awareness about their case. In the previous occasion, in October 2015, they were protesting against the excessive length of their pre-trial detention, which exceeded the 90-day limit prescribed by law. After such a term, a court is required to rule on the extension of the detention, which did not happen within the prescribed time-limit.
Front Line Defenders is gravely concerned at the ongoing trial and arbitrary detention of the human rights defenders, particularly given the unjustified delay in reaching a decision. Front Line Defenders calls on the authorities to immediately and unconditionally acquit the human rights defenders, as it is believed that their prosecution is an attempt to prevent them from carrying out their peaceful and legitimate work in defence of human rights.
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Michel Forst, today urged the Government of Angola to release fourteen activists arrested in June after taking part in peaceful meetings to demand good governance.
“Deprivation of liberty on the sole ground of having promoted good governance and exercised the rights to free expression and peaceful assembly may be considered arbitrary,” Mr. Forst warned referring to the case of Luaty Beirão, a prominent Angolan musician and rights activist, and the other defenders arrested.
“Such criticism is not only fully legitimate according to Angola’s obligations under human rights law; it is also essential to the free and public debate necessary for a healthy civil society in the country,” the independent expert stressed.
After their arrest, the ‘Angola fifteen’ were charged in September, together with two women rights defenders who remain at liberty awaiting trial, for the ‘preparatory acts to practice rebellion’ and ‘plotting’ against state institutions, both of which are considered to be crimes against the security of the Angolan State. Held in pre-trial detention for longer than 90 days, the pro-democracy activists were formally informed of the indictment on 8 October and their trial is to be held in mid-November.
Disturbing allegations have surfaced of ill-treatment of the activists during the detention. Some detainees have resorted to hunger strike in protest, triggering concerns about their health conditions.
“Defending and promoting human right has become an extraordinarily dangerous activity in many countries,” the Special Rapporteur said quoting his latest report* to the UN General Assembly. “Attacks against human rights defenders can be seen as devious attempts to undermine human rights.”
In his report, the independent expert draws attention to worrying global trends of threats and challenges facing human rights defenders, who are increasingly attacked or arrested, threatened or harassed, intimidated or detained.
“As the UN Human Rights Council independent envoy on human rights defenders, I call on the charges against all the rights activists to be dropped and that the ‘Angolan fourteen’ are released immediately,” the expert urged.
Mr. Forst’s statement has been endorsed by the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Maina Kiai; the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom or opinion and expression, David Kaye; the Special Rapporteur on torture, Juan E. Méndez; and the Chair of the Working Group on arbitrary detention, Seong-Phil Hong.
On 14 October 2015 Mr Afonso Matias “Mbanza Hamza” was reportedly beaten by prison guards at Luanda’s Central District (Comarca Central de Luanda).
This incident happened after he was transferred to Luanda’s Central District and complained about conditions of detention in the new cell. This followed previous acts of violence perpetrated while Afonso Matias was held at São Paulo Prison (Cadeia de São Paulo), in Luanda.
Family members who met Afonso Matias after the incident, reported that he was put in a cell hosting more than 100 detainees, with very low hygiene standards, and that all the detainees share a bathroom that has no running water. Following the previous acts of violence he suffered at São Paulo Prison the HRD had several sores on his feet, hands, chest and back.
Afonso Matias “Mbanza Hamza” has been held in preventive detention for over 100 days following his arrest in June 2015, along with 14 other human rights defenders and youth activists in Angola, namely Domingos da Cruz, Nito Alves, Luaty Beirão, José Hata, Hitler Samussuko, Inocêncio Brito “Drux”, Sedrick de Carvalho, Albano Bingo, Fernando Tomás “Nicola”, Nelson Dibango, Arante Kivuvu, Nuno Álvaro Dala, Benedito Jeremias, Osvaldo Caholo. The arrests were linked to a series of meetings that were held to discuss the principles of non-violent protest.
On 14 October 2015, at approximately 11 pm, Afonso Marias “Mbanza Hamza” and Albano Bingo, among others, were transferred from the Prison Hospital of São Paulo to Luanda’s Central District. The transfer was ordered following the torture and violence perpetrated against Benedito Jeremias and Albano Bingobingo on 9 October 2015. Benedito Jeremias and fellow human rights defenders decided to protest by hitting the grid cell and making noise. They also questioned the fact they were not allowed to talk or to have any other contact with each other at São Paulo's Prison, in Luanda. As a result, Benedito Jeremias was beaten by approximately twenty prison guards and tortured with an electroshock baton. During the torture, Benedito Jeremias had several guards pointing guns at him. Albano Bingo was also tortured with an electroshock baton. The police stripped him, beat him and dragged him to the yard. Both human rights defenders were seriously injured as a result of these acts of torture and violence.
Albano Bingo has been on a hunger strike for over 10 days, following the lead of fellow detainee Luaty Beirão, who has been on a hunger strike for 29 days. There are reports that his health has deteriorated and that he has a serious infection in one of his legs. Another human rights defender, Mr Nelson Dibango, detained at the Prison Psychiatric Hospital of Maianga (Hospital Psiquiátrico Penitenciário da Maianga), in Luanda, has also been on a hunger strike since 10 October 2015.
Front Line Defenders is gravely concerned at the continued detention of the human rights defenders and youth activists, and at Luaty Beirão and Albano Bingobingo's deteriorating state of health. Further concern is expressed about the reports of severe violence and torture perpetrated against some of the human rights defenders. Front Line Defenders calls on the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all the afore-mentioned human rights defenders, drop all the charges against them and cease any torture or ill treatment committed against the HRDs.
On 12 October 2015, four human rights defenders, Messrs Adolfo Miguel Campos, “Baixa de Kassangs”, “Veriato” and Mário Sebastião, were arrested while they were taking part in a church service at Igreja São Domingos (São Domingos Church) in Luanda.
The church service was organised to express solidarity to the human rights defenders arrested in June and the deteriorating health situation of one of the detainees, Luaty Beirão, who has been on a hunger strike for 23 days.
All four human rights defenders are members of the youth group called Movimento Revolucionário (Revolutionary Movement), which peacefully advocates for human rights, democracy and accountability in Angola. This movement has also been a focal point in the defence of freedom of speech and the right to conduct public demonstrations in Angola.
The church service started in the afternoon of 12 October 2015 and soon after it began the police forces entered the church and violently disrupted the church service. During the incident, Adolfo Miguel Campos, “Baixa de Kassangs”, “Veriato” and Mário Sebastião were arrested by officers of the National Police and detained for a few hours in a separate room inside the church before being released without charges. The human rights defenders were reportedly beaten by police officers during the arrest and they were left with serious injuries. Mr Adolfo Miguel Campos had a broken arm as a result of the attack.
The group has previously participated in peaceful gatherings and vigils to protest the lack of government response to the situation of the 15 human rights defenders who remain in preventive detention for over 100 days and Luaty Beirão's deteriorating health after 23 days of hunger strike. In all occasions, Angola's government has disrupted the gatherings and the situation for those protesting against government abuses in Angola remain very fragile.
Front Line Defenders expresses grave concern over the police brutality suffered by human rights defenders Adolfo Miguel Campos, “Baixa de Kassangs”, “Veriato” and Mário Sebastião during the disruption of a peaceful church service. Front Line Defenders believes these actions of repression to be directly related to their legitimate work in the defence of human rights. Further concern is expressed with regard to the ongoing and intensifying harassment and intimidation of human rights defenders in Angola and the restrictions imposed on the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression in the country.
On 9 October 2015, human rights defender Mr Luaty Beirão was transferred from the Calomboloca Prison to the Prison Hospital of São Paulo, Angola, after his health deteriorated following 19 days on hunger strike.
Luaty Beirão is a musician and member of Central Angola 7311, an online platform created by a group of young people to document human rights violations. He has also recently been involved in the preparation of the ''Buzina Só'' social justice campaign, which is being organised through social media.
Luaty Beirão has been arbitrarily held in preventive detention for over 100 days following his arrest in detained in June 2015, along with 15 other human rights defenders and youth activists in Angola - Domingos da Cruz, Nito Alves, Afonso Matias “Mbanza Hamza”, José Hata, HItler Samussuko, Inocêncio Brito “Drux”, Sedrick de Carvalho, Albano Bingo, Fernando Tomás “Nicola”, Nelson Dibango, Arante Kivuvu, Nuno Álvaro Dala, Benedito Jeremias, Osvaldo Caholo. The arrests were linked to a series of meetings that were held with to discuss the principles of non-violent protest.
Luaty Beirão remains in the hospital and his situation is critical; the human rights defender has lost a lot of weight and he has experienced severe stomach pain. He had previously been taken to the same Prison Hospital on Friday 2 October 2015, but was transferred back that same weekend to the Calomboloca prison without being provided a thorough medical examination.
Luaty's brother told Agence France Presse that, "He is only drinking very little water. His stomach is burning and he is scared of being poisoned if he eats. He might die if he isn't released."
On 8 October 2015 the Provincial Court of Luanda (Tribunal Provincial de Luanda) notified the human rights defenders that they are facing charges of organising a coup against the President José Eduardo dos Santos and the Government of Angola, as well as additional charges for preparatory acts of rebellion. Two other human rights defenders, Rosa Conde and Laurinda Gouveia, have also been charged, but they remain at liberty while awaiting their trial. Rosa Conde and Laurinda Gouveia were also attending several meetings with the detainees to discuss the principles of non-violent protest and political change in Angola.
Luaty Beirão is a rap musician and active in social justice efforts in Angola, challenging corruption and political intimidation. In 2012, his skull was cracked open with an iron rod when he participated in a protest.
Front Line Defenders is gravely concerned at the arbitrary detention of Luaty Beirão and the other human rights defenders and youth activists, particularly given his deteriorating state of health, for which it appears he has not been granted adequate access to medical care. Front Line Defenders calls on the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Luaty Beirão, along with the other afore-mentioned individuals, from preventive detention and drop all the charges against them, as it is believed to be an attempt to prevent them from carrying out their peaceful and legitimate work in defence of human rights.
On 28 September 2015, the human rights defenders and youth activists arrested in Luanda in June 2015 were notified that the Prosecutor General had completed the investigation into their case.
The 15 human rights defenders were arrested for allegedly preparing a coup d’état to overthrow President José Eduardo dos Santos and are now waiting to be summoned to appear before the Provincial Court of Luanda (Tribunal Provincial de Luanda) . Among those detained are human rights defenders Messrs Domingos da Cruz, Afonso Mayenda (also known as Mbanza Hamza), Luaty Beirão, Manuel Nito Alves and Albano Bingo. Some of the detainees, including Domingos da Cruz and Luaty Beirão, have been on hunger strike since 21 September 2015 to protest their arbitrary preventive detention.
Domingos da Cruz is a journalist, human rights defender and writer who has spoken at various events and conferences discussing the principles of non-violent protests. Domingos da Cruz is also the Coordinator of the Observatório de Imprensa (Observatory of the Press), a platform created in December 2014 to monitor the Angolan press in order to defend democracy and freedom of expression.
Manuel Nito Alves and Albano Bingo are members of the youth group Movimento Revolucionário (Revolutionary Movement), which peacefully advocates for human rights, democracy and accountability in Angola. Since 2012, the Movement has been known for organising various peaceful demonstrations, which have been regularly repressed by the police in the country's capital of Luanda.
Luaty Beirão, a musician, and Mbanza Hamza, a professor, are both members of Central Angola 7311, an online platform created by young activists to document human rights violations. They have also recently been involved in the preparation of the ''Buzina Só'' social justice campaign, which is being organised through social media.
On 28 September 2015 the human rights defenders' lawyer, Mr. Walter Tondela, was notified about the completion of the investigations. However, the specific charges brought against them remain unknown. It is believed that the detainees may face charges of rebellion for allegedly “carrying out acts that would undermine the order and public safety of the country”. This notification follows two unsuccessful attempts to release the detainees. On 21 September Mr Tondela requested their immediate release given that the 90-day limit for preventive detention had already been exceeded and on 16 September 2015 the Supreme Court of Angola (Supremo Tribunal de Justiça) denied a habeas corpus request. The defence lawyers will challenge this decision before the Constitutional Court.
Human rights defender Domingos da Cruz was arrested on 21 June 2015 following the arrest of Afonso Mayenda, Luaty Beirão, Manuel Nito Alves, and Albano Bingo, along with nine youth activists on 20 June 2015 as they attended a conference on the ''Philosophy of peaceful revolution'', which was given by Domingos da Cruz in the neighbourhood of Vila Alice in Luanda.
Front Line Defenders is gravely concerned by the charges that the human rights defenders may face, including charges of rebellion. Further concern is expressed at the arbitrary detention of the human rights defenders and youth activists, which it believes to be directly linked to their legitimate activities in the defence of human rights.
On 21 June 2015, journalist and human rights defender Mr Domingos da Cruz was arrested. He is currently detained in the 29th police station in Luanda. On the afternoon of 20 June 2015, at least four human rights defenders, Messrs Afonso Mayenda (also known as Mbanza Hanza), Luaty Beirão, Manuel Nito Alves, and Albano Bingo, along with nine youth activists, were detained by the national police and the National Directorate for Criminal Investigation (DNIC in portuguese).
According to reports, Luaty Beirão and Manuel Nito Alves are being held in detention in the 29th police station in Luanda. Albano Bingo is held in detention in the 10th police station in the neighbourhood of Cazenga. Afonso Mayenda is detained in the 9th police station in the neighbourhood of Lagostas. Although no charges have been formalised against the human rights defenders, it is believed that they were arrested on suspicion of planning to overthrow the government. The nine youth activists are reportedly being detained across several police stations in the city of Luanda.
Domingos da Cruz is a journalist, human rights defender, and recently published author of a book entitled ''Tools to destroy a dictator and avoid a new dictatorship'' (in portuguese, “Ferramentas para Destruir o Ditador e Evitar Nova Ditadura''). In the book, the author details principles of civil disobedience. Domingos da Cruz is also the Coordinator of the Observatório de Imprensa (Observatory of the Press), a platform created in December 2014 with the aim of monitoring the Angolan Press in order to defend democracy and freedom of expression.
Manuel Nito Alves and Albano Bingo are members of the youth group 'Movimento Revolucionário' (Revolutionary Movement), which peacefully advocates for human rights, democracy and accountability in Angola. Since 2012, the Movement has been known for organising various peaceful demonstrations, which have been regularly repressed by the police, in the country's capital of Luanda. Luaty Beirão, a musician and Mbanza Hamza, a professor, are both members of Central Angola 7311, an online platform created by young activists to document human rights violations. They have also recently been involved in the preparation of the ''Buzina Só'' social justice campaign, which is being organised through social media.
The human rights defenders were arrested on the afternoon of 20 June 2015, while participating in a conference on the ''Philosophy of peaceful revolution'', being given by Domingos da Cruz in the neighbourhood of Vila Alice in Luanda. Immediately following their arrest, the human rights defenders were brought by police officers and members of the criminal investigation office to their respective homes, and had their photos and computers confiscated.
The Criminal Investigation Office of the Ministry of Interior issued a press release on the day of their arrests, declaring that it had “undertaken a number of actions which have culminated in the detention in flagrente delicto of 13 citizens who were preparing to carry out acts that would undermine the order and public safety of the country”, and that, “during this operation, a number of means of proof have been confiscated''.
This is not the first time that the human rights defenders have been arrested and detained by the police. In March 2013, Manuel Nito Alves, Luaty Beirão and Mbanza Hamza were arrested and detained shortly before the start of a demonstration in the capital Luanda, scheduled in solidarity with two human rights defenders who disappeared in 2012. At the time, Mbanza Hamza, was beaten by police. The human rights defenders were released without charge on 30 March 2013.
Front Line Defenders expresses concern at the arrests and detention of the abovementioned human rights defenders. Front Line Defenders believes these actions to be directly motivated by their legitimate exercise of the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
