#ANGOLA š¦š“ ā The two bills signed into law by President JoĆ£o Lourenco "will severely restrict freedoms of the media, expression, and association, " says @hrw: https://t.co/oCzzcG2UFU
— IFEX (@IFEX) September 14, 2024
General
Repressive new laws threaten civic space
On 29th August 2024, Angolan President JoĆ£o Lourenco signed two bills into law, both restricting freedom of association, peaceful assembly and expression.
The Bill on the Crimes of Vandalism of Public Goods and Services, approved by the National Assembly on 18th July 2024, and provides for a prison term up to 25 years for people who participate in protests resulting in vandalism and service disruptions. Article 23 allows for the adoption of āappropriate measuresā in order to prevent the destruction and damage of public infrastructure or services, without defining what measures would be āappropriateā. Article 8 and 15 provide that those who āprovide, disseminate or publish by any means information relating to security measures
The National Security Bill, approved by the National Assembly on 7th August 2024, allows for excessive government control over media, CSOs and other private institutions. Article 36 of the bill, which has not been made public, gives government security forces the power to prohibit public or private telecommunication services, including radio stations, telephone services and internet services, under āexceptional circumstancesā without a court order, and without specifying what these circumstances are. It further allows security forces to inspect public places or places open to the public and āsafety equipment installationsā. Meanwhile, article 40 mandates worker of public and private companies and others to report any facts that constitute risks and threats to national security. Failing to do so, could result in criminal prosecution.
Association
Human rights lawyer placed under house arrest, detained for a few hours
On 5th January 2024, police officers placed human rights lawyer and president of Observatory of Social Cohesion and Justice in Angola, Zola Ferreira Bambi, under house arrest, without an arrest warrant, and later escorted him to the police station, where they held him for several hours. A colleague of Ferreira Bambi, who was also at the HRDās residence, was also brought to the police station, accompagnied by a third colleague.
Ferreira Bambi had been due to represent two HRDs in court that day, which he was prevented from doing. The two HRDs were arrested the day before in relation to the organisation of a protest against the conviction of four activists in September 2023.
Ferreira Bambi has been subjected to threats, physical violence and surveillance for the past ten years.