Angola: Dropping of charges against human rights lawyer a victory for freedom of expression and assembly
On the decision of the Cabinda Provincial Tribunal to drop criminal charges against human rights lawyer and prisoner of conscience, Arão Bula Tempo, after concluding that there was no sufficient evidence to prosecute him, Amnesty International said:
“The dismissal of charges of rebellion and collaboration with foreigners to constrain the Angolan state against human rights lawyer Arão Bula Tempo brings to an end a long chapter of suffering in his life. For more than a year, he was facing a politically motivated trial, aimed at silencing his voice,”
“The decision shows that there are still judges who are guided by the rule of law in the country.”
“His persecution has seen his health coming under strain. His career as a lawyer has also taken a knock, after he lost clients as a practicing lawyer due to the reputational damage caused by the criminal charges brought against him.”
Background
Arão Bula Tempo was arrested on 14 March 2015 and conditionally released on 13 May 2015. He was formally charged with the crimes of attempted “collaboration with foreigners to constrain the Angolan state” and “rebellion” on 22 October 2015. Both are categorized as crimes against the security of the state.
He was accused of inviting foreign journalists from the Republic of Congo to cover a peaceful protest against bad governance in Cabinda Province.
