Report by the Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel,
Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Theo van Boven


Angola

28. By letter dated 8 September 2004, the Special Rapporteur notified the Government that he had received allegations concerning:

29. André Quibindo, a service station employee, city of Cabinda. On the morning of 26 February 2003, the provincial prosecutor (whose name is known to the Special Rapporteur) arrived to fill up his car with petrol. The bodyguard and the prosecutor’s two nephews beat André Quibindo. One of his colleagues tried to intervene but was also beaten. André Quibindo was taken to the Municipal Police Command and placed in an isolation cell for five days.

30. Januário Dembe, age 55, an administrator of Bembe Mbote, Caio-Contene village, Necuto commune. On 16 March 2003 as he was driving to a sawmill, he was stopped by a soldier of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) who demanded a ride in the opposite direction. When Januario Dembe refused, the soldier ordered him and his two children to get out of the vehicle. The soldier fired at Januario Dembe, hitting him in the ankle and damaging his vehicle. The soldier also fired at his children but they escaped unhurt.

31. Filipe Dembe Jesus, age 23, and Samuel Cando, age 43, both teachers, from Buco- Zau. On 1 April 2003, on their way to work in the village of Muanza, they were stopped by "red beret" FAA Special Forces, in the Sinde-Muanza area. The commandos accused the men of belonging to the Front of Liberation of the State of Cabinda (FLEC) and beat them severely.

32. José Vindo, also known as Tudo Passa, Muanza, Buco-Zau. On 3 April 2003, FAA soldiers accused him of belonging to FLEC and beat him in front of his family. 33. Corporal Frederico Canganjo, Kissamano garrison. On 14 April 2003 at approximately 5 p.m., he was beaten with a rifle butt by a lieutenant colonel of the 704th Battalion (whose name is known to the Special Rapporteur). After beating him, the lieutenant colonel tied Corporal Frederico Canganjo to his vehicle and dragged him across the asphalt to the barracks, several metres away. He was reportedly sent to the Military Hospital in Cabinda for treatment for his injuries.

34. Corporal Lázaro Canhongo, age 24, Benguela province. On 3 May 2003, he tried to desert and return home but was captured by military police in Buco-Zau, and returned to Miconje commune. As punishment, he was forced to weed large tracts of land, and was shot in the calf by a colonel (whose name is known to the Special Rapporteur).

35. Carlos Luís Dunge, age 31, goods wholeseller, Necuto village. On 14 May 2003, he was beaten by six FAA soldiers stationed in the village. The commanding officer (whose name is known to the Special Rapporteur), ordered the soldiers to confiscate Carlos Luis Dunge’s goods, claiming that they were used to feed members of FLEC. The soldiers beat him, tied him and his teenage assistant up and took them to the Necuto Battalion Command. They were put in a hole covered by tarpaulin and kept there for 15 days, and were only taken out briefly three times for interrogation.

36. Lando Muaca, age 36, and Josefate Luemba, age 67, Conde Lintene village. On 22 May 2003 at 5.20 p.m., while they were inspecting palm trees on Lando Muaca’s land, they were stopped by a group of FAA soldiers for violating the curfew that started at 4 p.m.. The soldiers beat the farmers, undressed them, forced Lando Muaca to tie up Josefate Luemba, and sexually assaulted Josefate Luemba. The soldiers released him after four hours but brought Lando Muanca to the Necuto Battalion for four days of forced labour: carrying water, washing uniforms, and cooking.

37. Hilário Kinahimbo, age 33, a driver of the administrator of Belize. On 16 June 2003, he was driving a white Ford vehicle, from the municipality of Buco-Zau to Belize, when in the village of Mbombo-Pene, three soldiers of the special unit of the Belize 2nd Battalion stopped him to get a for a ride. He refused saying that it was dangerous to mix civilians and soldiers in the same vehicle. The soldiers then pulled Hilário Kinahimbo out of the vehicle and beat him with their rifle butts. He required 12 stitches for a wound on his head.

38. João Kumbo, age 24, Bembica. On 4 July 2003, he was detained by soldiers from the 708th Battalion, and taken to the base in Necuto. He was questioned about the whereabouts of a relative wanted by the FAA, and beaten unconscious and held for 24 hours in a pit.

39. Nicolau Nkula Macumbo, age 40, and Artur Kinangi, from Iona village, and nationals of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On 16 July 2003, their bodies were found close to Rio Luali, Belize,, bearing signs of having been beaten, three days after they were detained at the Iona Commando base.ç

40. Joaquim Mibinda, José Ngoma, age 77, and Tomás Macaia, age 72, from Micuma II village. On 24 July 2003, they were detained by FAA soldiers close to the village and were forced to walk for two days with the patrol in search of FLEC hideouts. The soldiers intimidated the men by placing them before a firing squad and interrogating them about the locations of FLEC hiding places. The men were released in the village of Pangala, Ganda- Cango, Belize, after local authorities intervened and convinced the soldiers to let the men go.

41. João Paulo Mavungo, age 75, Mbundo village, Belize. On 27 July 2003 around midnight, he was thrown to the ground and shot in the leg by an FAA soldier, who was allegedly stealing chickens. The Mbundo coordinator took him to the hospital shortly after the incident.

42. Luís Capita, age 60, Chivata I, Caio-Contene. On 4 August 2003, he was tied up and beaten by soldiers from the 708th Battalion, based in Necuto commune. Luis Capita was suspected by FAA of being involved in a FLEC attack in the village earlier in the day. He was dragged from his home and kicked and hit with rifle butts during the 8 km joumey to the military base. At the base, soldiers were ordered to tie him up in the "rabbit position" (with the elbows and ankles bound together behind the back, while the knees are pulled up to the chest). He was beaten and held in this position for five hours and released.

43. Manuel Gomes, age 22, and Alfredo Buza, age 20, Caio-Poba. On 20 August 2003, when they went to the Caio-Poba military base to collect items seized by FAA soldiers, they were suspected of being members of FLEC. They were tied up and beaten and then sent home.

44. Berta Umbelina Estanislau, age 23, a primary school teacher, and school pupils, Bata-Sosso. On 23 August 2003 at 7.30 a.m., during a military operation in the village, the teacher and pupils tried to leave the area upon hearing gunfire. FAA soldiers accused them of complicity in a FLEC attack, forced the teachers and pupils to undress and lie down, and then beat them.

45. Alberto Nhimi, age 31, Necuto, and José Kumbo, Bembica. On 24 August 2003, following a FLEC attack, soldiers stationed in the village of Cata Chivava began rounding people up. In Caio-Contene village, Alberto Nhimi was detained, accused of being a FLEC spy, beaten, and taken to the military base for interrogation by a lieutenant colonel (whose name is known to the Special Rapporteur). He was put in a pit and kept there for five days, and let out only twice to drink water. During his captivity, he was beaten and stabbed with a bayonet and received no medical treatment. José Kumbo was beaten, and tied up in the “rabbit position". He was put in a pit and remained tied up like that for several days.

46. Alberto Bungo, age 36, Conde-Lintene village, Necuto. On 28 August 2003, he was detained by FAA soldiers from the BIQ-708 Battalion after raiding the village, following an attack by FLEC. He was interrogated and threatened by a junior officer with a bayonet in an effort to make him confess to participating in the FLEC attack. He was stabbed in the foot and the back, treated by medical personnel and released three days later.

47. Afonso Vidal Paca, age 41, Caio-Lintene, Buco-Zau. On 28 August 2003, he was tied up and beaten with a stick and a rifle butt by FAA soldiers. They accused him of being a FLEC collaborator and beat him to extract a confession.

48. Paulo Macuaeo, age 19, Binga-Pequeno, Buco-Zau. On 30 August 2003 at 2.30 p.m., as he was bathing in the river Luali, three soldiers from the Alzira da Fonseca unit arrived, led by a sergeant (whose name is known to the Special Rapporteur). The sergeant pointed his gun at Paulo Macuaeo and threatened to kill him. Another soldier broke his hunting rifle by beating it against his naked body. He was also stabbed. First aid was administered for his injuries.

49. João Paulo Paiado, age 34, his father Paulo, age 58, and brother Lourenço Mambuco Paulo, age 23, from Pove village, and Ngoma Gabriel, a farm-worker and national of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On 2 September 2003 at dawn, a group of about 20 FAA soldiers from Zala-Ngó entered João Paulo Paiado’s home, dragged him outside the house and beat him in front of his family. His father and brother were beaten when they attempted to intervene. Later, the soldiers took him in a truck to a field, where they accused him of having contacts with FLEC. A grave was dug to bury him, and he was tied up with wire for two days, and released. Ngoma Gabriel, who worked on João Paulo Paiado’s farm, suffered five bayonet wounds from a corporal (whose name is known to the Special Rapporteur), because he was suspected to be a FLEC collaborator.

50. André Baza, age 38, Buco-Zau. On 3 September 2003, he was questioned about his hunting rifle, and beaten by police from the municipal command of Buco-Zau. He was then transferred to the village, where a sergeant (whose name is known to the Special Rapporteur) beat him, tied him up and began firing his gun into the ground near him. A priest secured André Baza’s release.

51. Paulo Bilundo, age 18, 6th grade pupil, Chivula. On 11 September 2003, around 9 a.m., he was stopped by FAA soldiers on the road to the village of Necuto. The soldiers accused him of being on a mission for FLEC, and forced him to go with them to a field, where chilli peppers were being grown. He was forced to eat peppers, and was threatened with death if he stopped. When the peppers began to affect his breathing, he was given a green banana to try and neutralise the effect, and left to recover in a pit.

52. João Duda, age 30, Buange Dunge, age 23, Panga-Mongo village, and Duda, a national of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On the night of 28 September 2003, FAA soldiers carried out an operation in the village, and detained and beat the men, accusing them of supporting FLEC.

53. Alfredo Mbuemba, Alexandre Tati, his daughter MT, age 2, Pedro Antonio, age 8, Nataniel Gimbi, age 50, from Tandu-Macuco village, Necuto commune, and Kembo Lelo, a national of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On 2 October 2003, an unknown number of FAA soldiers surrounded the village and beat Aflredo Mbuemba, Alexandre Tati and Kembo Lelo and took them away to an unknown location. The soldiers grabbed Alexandre Tati’s daughter and threw her to the floor of her home, where they kicked and slapped her. Pedro Antonio was also thrown to the ground by a soldier. Nataniel Gimbi was dragged out of his house and beaten.

54. José Massiala Ngoma, age 23, André Simão Luemba, age 27, and Bemado António Yambi, age 30, Panga-Mongo, Necuto commune. On 3 October 2003 at around 1 a.m., soldiers surrounded the village and went into their homes. They were beaten with rifle butts in the presence of their families, and taken to the 708th Battalion base in Necuto.

55. Januário Ngola, age 49, the deputy coordinator of the village and member of the Popular da Libertação de Angola, his wife, Elize Mavungo, age 45, and his sister Virgínia Bumba, Tandu-Bulazi village. On 7 October 2003, FAA soldiers travelling in two trucks arrived before dawn in village and entered Januario Ngola’s house. He was beaten and kicked in the area of an existing intestinal hernia. His wife and sister were also beaten. The soldiers seized agricultural tools and money, and threw the family out of the house. Januario Ngola was taken to an unknown location.

56. Ivo Cubola, age 25, his mother Charlote Macosso, her daughter, M. M., age 7, Antonio Gimbi, 60, and Antonio Camilo, age 50, Tandu-Bulazi village. On 7 October 2003, soldiers entered Charlote Macosso’s house, held her and her daughter and slapped them. Ivo Cubola was thrown to the floor, tied up, accused of being the son of a high- ranking officer in FLEC and taken away to the 708th Battalion’s base. Antonio Gimbi and Antonio Camilo were beaten and also taken away. Ivo Cubola was tied up in the "rabbit position" and held in a pit for 12 days. There are reportedly three types of pits at the base, for three categories of prisoners: i.e. "least criminal" suspects, those accused of collaborating or sympathizing with FLEC; "criminal" suspects, former FLEC soldiers who live in villages without notifying the authorities and are suspected of providing logistical support to FLEC; and "highly criminal" suspects, those captured in combat as well as known activists and other individuals involved in FLEC. The depth of the hole and the treatment meted out to the captives vary according to their status. Ivo Cubola, who was in the "least criminal" group, was subject to three sessions of interrogations before he was released.

57. Sofia Landu, age 30, Albertina Futi, Maria Mbumba, Inês Landu, Magarida Baza, J. P., age 8, Jerónimo Conde, Adriano Pedro Suami, his wife Maria Landu, age 22, and Catarina Nvulu, Tandu-Macuco village, Necuto commune, Buco-Zau. On 7 October 2003, FAA soldiers entered the village and attacked the inhabitants in their homes. They were thrown to the ground, kicked and beaten with rifle butts.

58. By letter dated 13 September 2004, sent jointly with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, the Special Rapporteur notified the Government that he received allegations concerning:

59. Maria Veronica, Terra Nova, Necuto commune. On 2 January 2003, she was raped by soldiers of the 115th Battalion of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA). She was found lying naked on the floor in blood-soaked sheets. She died the following week.

60. M. F. L. K., age 16, S. K., age 13, and J. K. M., age 12, Muanza village. On 20 February 2003 at 3 p.m., the three girls were retuming from Buco-Zau when they were questioned by four FAA soldiers from the Kata Buanga barracks. The soldiers stole the girls’ money and the items they had acquired in Buco-Zau, then gagged and raped them.

61. Joana Macaia, a 55- year-old traditional healer, Ntsaca village. On 2 March 2003, she was beaten and imprisoned in a pit for three days at the military’s special Belize unit. She was accused of performing prayers for FLEC. On the fourth day, she was forced to dress in an FAA uniform to serve as a guide to lead the army to her brothers, who were reportedly members of FLEC. When she refused, an officer slapped her 80 times on the hand with the side of a machete. She was released shortly thereafter.

62. A. M., age 12, Caio Nguala village, Buco-Zau. On 15 March 2003, she was raped by FAA soldiers in the village.

63. Carolina Mataia, age 29, Marta Tchelika, age 41, Essingo Goma, age 36, Paula Mambuco, age 40, Valéria Maia, age 33, Ariete Jorge, Mana Quitexe, and Maria Pólo, age 39, Tando-Zinze village. On 9 April 2003, the women were travelling in a truck carrying wood and charcoal, when they were stopped by Fiscal Police Inspectors at a check-point. One of the inspectors dragged Maria Polo from the truck and tried to rape her several meters away. When she resisted, the inspector fired several shots, tore her clothes, and beat her. The other inspectors drew their guns, forced the women to lie down on the ground, and beat them with clubs.

64. A. M. C. B., age 16. On 6 May 2003, she was beaten by a corporal from the 708th Battalion (whose name is known to the Special Rapporteur). She reportedly went to see the corporal for payment for purchases he had made. He denied incurring any debt and beat her with his rifle butt. He warned that anyone who tried to intervene would be shot, and only stopped beating her when he knocked her unconscious.

65. T. S., age 10, Conde-Malonda village, Buco-Zau. On 25 May 2003, she was raped by an FAA officer (whose name is known to the Special Rapporteur) in the village.

66. A. M., age 11, Panga Mongo village. On 31 May 2003, she was raped by FAA soldiers near the village.

67. C. P., age 16, Necuto commune. On 23 June 2003, as she was leaving the Catholic Mission Parish School, she was stopped by four soldiers of the 115th Battalion, who accused her of being related to a FLEC member. One soldier pointed his gun and threatened to kill her if she did not confess. Another soldier offered her freedom in exchange for sex. When she refused she was beaten unconscious. When Catarina Pemba recovered, the soldiers had raped her, and left her naked and bleeding. She still experiences pain and finds blood in her urine.

68. Alice Nzuzi, age 18, Buco Zau. On 10 August 2003, as she was washing clothes in the Luali river, an FAA corporal of the 704th Battalion stationed in Buco Zau, threw her into the water and attempted to drown her. He then dragged her to the bank and raped her. When villagers attempted to intervene, soldiers fired several shots in the air to drive them away and then fled.

69. C. C., age 15, Cata-Buanga, Buco-Zau. On 11 August 2003, as she went to search for bananas, she was detained and held at the Cata-Buanga detachment by the commanding captain (whose name is known to the Special Rapporteur), and raped.

70. Maria Pedro, age 33, Sevo da Buala village, Necuto commune. On 2 October 2003, FAA soldiers arrived at her home in search of her husband, and beat her with their rifle butts when they were unable to find him.

71. By letter dated 13 September 2004, sent jointly with the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Special Rapporteur notified the Government that he received allegations concerning:

72. João Félix Mavungo, age 36, Dinge village. On 8 March 2003 at 5 p.m., four FAA soldiers accused him of violating restrictions concerning work on the land, beat him in front of his wife, and took him away. The military returned his body to his family, claiming that he died from an illness; however, the body reportedly bore evidence of beatings.

73. Vicente Ngoma, Mongo-Conde, Belize, and Filipe Maiúlo, Pângala. On 3 April 2003, while on their way to the village of Sindi, they were picked up by FAA soldiers and beaten. Vicente Ngoma was also stabbed and died of his injuries.

74. Paulo Mambo João, age 40, a coordinator of Micuma I village. On 16 July 2003, as he was returning from hunting, he was detained by FAA soldiers. He was tied to a tree, interrogated, and at approximately 5.30 a.m., killed by two bullets in the chest.

75. Nicolau Nkula Macumbo, age 40, and Artur Kinangi, Iona village, and nationals of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On 16 July 2003, their bodies were found with signs of being beaten, close to the Luali river, Belize, three days after they were detained at the Iona Commando base.

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small logo   This report has been published by Equipo Nizkor and Derechos Human Rights on July 12, 2005.