Angola: Three youth imprisoned after unfair trial: Afonso S. Muatchipuculo, António J. Fernando and Justino H. Valente
High school students; Afonso S. Muatchipuculo (22), António J. Fernando (18) and Justino H. Valente (21) were sentenced to seven months in prison by the Malange Provincial Court in Angola on 9 April after an unfair trial. The three were arrested on 4 April for allegedly throwing stones at the Vice-President’s convoy in Malange. However, they were not present at the scene of the protest when the stones were thrown.
UA: 115/18 Index: AFR 12/8534/2018 Angola Date: 14 June 2018
URGENT ACTION
THREE YOUTH IMPRISONED AFTER UNFAIR TRIAL
High school students; Afonso S. Muatchipuculo (22), António J. Fernando (18) and
Justino H. Valente (21) were sentenced to seven months in prison by the Malange
Provincial Court in Angola on 9 April after an unfair trial. The three were arrested on 4
April for allegedly throwing stones at the Vice-President’s convoy in Malange. However,
they were not present at the scene of the protest when the stones were thrown.
António J. Fernando, a 9th grade student, and Justino H. Valente, a 12th grade student, had been selected by
their school to greet the Vice-President on 4 April at the Malange City Pavilion. However, the two arrived late and
could not enter the Pavilion, and therefore decided to leave.
Upon arriving at the Pavilion, the Vice-President was met by over 100 protestors demanding the removal of the
Malange Provincial Governor. Some protestors allegedly threw stones at the Vice-President’s convoy.
Afonso S. Muatchipuculo, Antonio and Justino were arrested at the market, about 4km away from the Pavilion,
while on their way home approximately an hour after the incident. The police chief claimed to have identified them
as being among the protestors who threw stones at the Vice-President’s convoy by the colour of their shirts. The
three students were not at the Pavilion at the time of the protest, but the police still used their shirts as evidence in
court. They were tried and sentenced to seven months in prison on the same day on 9 April without a lawyer
present. The prosecution did not produce any witnesses to provide testimony. The defendants were not given the
opportunity to challenge the evidence presented against them, cross-examine the chief of police and even call
witnesses. The three are currently serving prison sentences in a prison 50km away from Malange city making it
difficult for their families to visit.
The trial and imprisonment of Afonso, Antonio and Justino was clearly unfair, unjust and in clear violation of
domestic and international law.
Please write immediately in Portuguese or English or your own language:
Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Afonso, Antonio and Justino;
Calling on the authorities to respect the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 26 JULY 2018 TO:
President
João Lorenço
General Contact:
Fax. +244 222 370366.
Link to send emails:
http://www.prcasacivil.co.ao/pt/contactos/index.html
Salutation: Your Excellency
Copies to:
Ambassador
Rui Jorge Carneiro Mangueira
Embassy of Angola
46 Bedford Square, Bloomsbury, London
WC1B 3DP, UK
Fax: +44 20 7486 9397
Email: embassy@angola.org.uk
Ambassador
Agostinho Tavares
2100-2108 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Fax: +1 202 822 9049
Email: not available
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please insert local diplomatic addresses below:
Name Address 1 Address 2 Address 3 Fax Fax number Email Email address Salutation Salutation
Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.
URGENT ACTION
THREE YOUTH IMPRISONED AFTER UNFAIR TRIAL
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The right to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly are commonly repressed in Angola. Persecution through
prosecution is often used to silence protestors, critics and the media. In the past 10 years, peaceful protesters have been killed,
injured, disappeared, unfairly tried and imprisoned.
Petitions and letters may also be directed to the Angola Permanent Mission at the UN:
Ambassador
Ismael Gaspar Martins
Angola Permanent Mission UN
820 2nd Avenue, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Fax: +1 212 861 9295
Email: themission@angolaun.org
Name: Afonso S. Muatchipuculo (22), António J. Fernando (18) and Justino H. Valente (21)
Gender m/f: m
UA: 115/18 Index: AFR 12/8534/2018 Issue Date: 14 June 2018