On September 16, 2023, four activists – Adolfo Campos, Abraão Pedro Santos, Gilson Morreira, and Hermenegildo Victor José – were arrested. On September 19, 2023, they were summarily tried, convicted and sentenced, without any evidence, to 2 years and 5 months in prison for ‘disobedience and resisting orders’ after an attempt to join a solidarity demonstration. In detention, the health conditions of Hermenegildo Victor José, Adolfo Campos, and Gilson Morreira have deteriorated due in large part to their denial of access to medical treatment. Their conviction and sentence stem solely from the peaceful exercise of their human rights. They must be immediately released.
PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: November 30, 2024
take action:
- Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
- Click here to let us know the actions you took on Second Urgent Action 115.23. It’s important to report because we share the total number with the officials we are trying to persuade and the people we are trying to help.
contact information:
Minister of Justice and Human Rights
Marcy Cláudio Lopes
Rua 17 de Setembro
Ingombota, Luanda, Angola
Emails: [email protected]
Embassy of Angola in the United States
Ambassador Agostinho Van-Dúnem
2108 16th Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20009
Email: [email protected]
Webform Contact: https://angola.org/contact-us/
sample letter:
Dear Minister,
I am writing to express grave concern about the health conditions of three activists, Adolfo Campos, Hermenegildo Victor José (AKA Gildo das Ruas), and Gilson Morreira (AKA Tanaice Neutro), who have been held in arbitrary detention since September 16, 2023, and to call for their immediate release as they are detained solely for peacefully exercising their human rights.
On August 1, 2024, Gildo das Ruas was diagnosed with spinal deviation and was recommended a wheelchair and lumbar correction prothesis by the doctor. Meanwhile, Adolfo Campos is gradually losing his sight and has so far not received any medical treatment. Tanaice Neutro was initially placed in solitary confinement for 36 days, for no clear reason. He was due to have surgery in November 2023, but it did not take place, further complicating his health situation. He is currently suffering from pain in his back and legs.
The four activists, including Abraão Pedro dos Santos (AKA Pensador), were arrested on September 16, 2023, hours before they were due to take part in a peaceful demonstration.
I urge you to take all necessary steps to ensure the immediate release of the four activists as their detention stems solely from their peaceful activism. I also call on you to ensure that the activists have immediate access to all necessary healthcare and that their detention conditions are in compliance with the Mandela Rules.
Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
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