Angola: Open letter to EU regarding situation of human rights defenders in Angola

Dr Luís Filipe Marques Amado, President of the Council of the European Union Dear Dr Amado, Amnesty International (AI), the Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE), Christian Aid, Front Line, Global Witness, the Interchurch Organization for Development Cooperation (ICCO), the Netherlands Institute for Southern Africa (NiZA) and Oxfam Novib write to you in your capacity as current holder of [...] He accused the organizations of being sponsored by opposition political parties, and of using human rights claims as a cover for breaking the law and disobeying the government. [...] This decision was reportedly taken on the basis that, in a meeting with the UN and some donor representatives, an official of the Angolan Ministry of Justice stated that the Ministry has no problem with the legal position of these organizations. [...] The Justice Ministry's recognition of the legality of the activities of these organizations is, in our view, no reason for the EU not to act. [...] On the contrary, it is clear evidence of the ill-will of the officials who allege that the organizations are breaking the law and of the intimidating purpose of their statements.