The Mozambican Network of Human Rights Defenders (RMDDH) received with great concern the news of physical assault and mistreatment of Angolan activist Gilson da Silva Moreira, known as “Tanaice Neutro,” inside the Calomboloca prison where he is serving a sentence.
“Tanaice Neutro” was arbitrarily detained on January 13, 2022, following videos he recorded and posted on social media allegedly referring to Angolan President João Lourenço as a “clown.” In the same videos, the activist reportedly criticized Angolan government authorities as “ignorant.”
In October 2022, an Angolan court sentenced the activist to 15 months of suspended sentence and ordered his immediate release due to health issues. However, he remains deprived of freedom and access to medical care to this day.
“Tanaice Neutro” is known for using the Angolan musical style “Kuduro” to express his views on social issues such as inequality, corruption, bad governance, and poverty.
RMDDH strongly condemns the physical assault and mistreatment of “Tanaice Neutro” and demands an urgent and impartial investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable. Additionally, RMDDH expresses solidarity with the victim and all Angolan activists at a time when the Angolan government increasingly restricts rights to freedom of association, expression, and peaceful assembly, despite these being guaranteed by the constitution.
Angola, a fraternal country of Mozambique, is witnessing escalating repression against activists, human rights defenders, and all individuals exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.
Maputo, 16th July, 2024
