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On 12 July 2025, Angolan police allegedly used excessive force and arbitrary arrests to disperse a peaceful protest in Luanda, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). The demonstration, organized by youth and civil society groups, opposed recent government decisions to raise fuel prices and eliminate public transport subsidies without public consultation.
🔴 Allegations of Abuse
- Tear gas and rubber bullets were reportedly deployed without warning.
- 17 protesters were detained; some released only after legal intervention.
- Four individuals sustained serious injuries, including one requiring surgery after being struck in the face by a tear gas canister.
🗣️ Human Rights Advocacy
HRW’s Ashwanee Budoo-Scholtz condemned the crackdown:
“Angolans should be able to peacefully protest government policies without being met with excessive force and other violations of their basic rights”.
Activist Aidilson Manuel confirmed the protest had received official authorization the day before, contradicting police claims that demonstrators deviated from the approved route.
⚖️ Broader Context
The incident reflects a pattern of police violence documented by Amnesty International, which reported at least 17 deaths across 11 protests between 2020 and 2023, with no prosecutions to date. Amnesty has urged Angolan authorities to uphold obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).
Calls are mounting for an independent investigation and meaningful security sector reform to ensure accountability and protect the right to peaceful assembly.
You can read the full report via Human Rights Watch and JURIST’s coverage.
