Africa-Press – Angola. Political analyst Bonifácio António denounced this Friday that the position of Amnesty International Portugal (AIP) on alleged “excesses of the defense and security forces” represents a form of pressure on the Angolan authorities.
According to the source, the petition to put an end to the “use of excessive, disproportionate and lethal force by the security forces”, in the demonstrations, aims to accelerate the discussion, in Parliament, of the Bill on Meetings and Demonstration.
For the academic, it is necessary to look carefully at the demonstrations carried out on behalf of civil society, but which have involved opposition political parties, often resulting in acts of riot.
He underlined that many protesters in the country are confronted with the forces of order and security, at which they throw blunt objects, leading to a proportional reaction.
Angolan legislation stipulates that demonstrations must be peaceful and without weapons, and may be interrupted by the competent authorities whenever they deviate from their purpose or jeopardize the rights of third parties.
In recent years, the country has registered some civil society protests that result in confrontation with the police authorities, forced to use proportional force to disperse the demonstrators, restore public order and defend the national interest.
Draft Law on Demonstrations
Debates on the Bill on Demonstrations, an initiative of the UNITA party, were postponed “sine die”, due to lack of understanding found during the discussions.
At the time of the debate on the Draft Law on Meetings and Demonstrations, no political party with parliamentary representation present at the session was opposed to the suspension of work on the analysis and discussion of the proposal.
UNITA intends, with this legal instrument, to regulate the action considered “excessive” by the agents of the Public Order in front of the demonstrating citizens.
The diploma establishes the principles and rules regarding the exercise of freedom of assembly and demonstration, in a peaceful manner and without resorting to weapons, with a view to preserving social peace, national security and people’s rights and freedoms.
In Angola, the acts of law enforcement officers are set out in the Basic Law on the Organization and Functioning of the National Police.
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