The following is based on a communication written by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and another UN expert to the Government of Angola on 23 December 2025. The communication remained confidential for 60 days before being made public, giving the Government time to reply. Regrettably, the Government did not reply within this timeframe. If a reply is received it will be posted on the UN Special Procedures communications database.
This is a shorter version of the original communication.
BACKGROUND
Topic: the persecution of human rights defender Mr. Pedro Domingos André between July and October 2025, with reported involvement of Criminal Investigation Service agents.
Mr. Pedro Domingos André, also known as “Paka,” is an Angolan human rights defender. He serves as the coordinator and spokesperson of the movement FURIA-99, the United Force against Repression and Injustices in Angola. His work focuses on documenting and denouncing cases of arbitrary detention and other violations committed against human rights defenders, activists, and vulnerable communities.
ALLEGATIONS
On 22 July 2025, agents of the Criminal Investigation Service (SIC) entered Mr. Domingos André’s residence without a warrant, conducted a search, and photographed him. On 23 July, he went to the local police station to report the incident. He was informed that the agents involved would be held accountable, and an apology was issued. However, several days later, his neighbours reported that SIC agents returned to the neighbourhood asking questions about him, prompting Mr. Domingos André to temporarily leave his residence and seek safety elsewhere.
On 1 September, the media outlet Deutsche Welle published an interview with Mr. Domingos André, in which he criticises the Angolan authorities for arbitrarily detaining an Angolan human rights defender.
On 7 October 2025, two SIC agents were again seen asking neighbours about Mr. Domingos André. On 13 October, around 1 a.m., there was an attempted break-in at his residence. Unidentified individuals tried to access the roof but fled when neighbours intervened.
CONCERNS
In the communication, we express our concern over the reported persecution of Mr. Domingos André, and we fear that he is targeted because of his human rights work, particularly his efforts to promote and protect the rights of arbitrarily detained human rights defenders in Angola. These allegations are especially concerning due to the alleged involvement of the SIC, an agency of the Ministry of Interior. If confirmed that the reported violations against Mr. Domingos André were committed by state agents, Angolan authorities would be violating international law protecting human rights defenders from persecution based on their peaceful and legitimate work. We are further concerned that such acts as described above may lead to a significant chilling effect on civil society in Angola.
