Angola: Reporter Armando José Chicoca Released

RAPID ACTION NETWORK
14 April 2011
RAN 11/11 update #1

PEN International’s Writers in Prison Committee welcomes the 6 April 2011 release on bail of reporter Armando José Chicoca, who was sentenced to one year in prison and a heavy fine on defamation charges on 3 March. Chicoca was freed on bail of $2,400 following an order by the Angolan Supreme Court. His appeal was initially rejected by a provincial court which said that it had been lodged after the expiry date. His lawyer filed a complaint to the Supreme Court arguing that the last day by which the appeal could be lodged was a holiday and so it had been submitted the following day. PEN welcomes Chicoca’s release, however it remains concerned that he has been convicted solely for reporting on sexual harassment allegations against a judge in the region, which is a clear breach of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Angola is party.

For more information on Chicoca’s case see RAN 11/11.

Please send appeals

Welcoming the release of reporter Armando José Chicoca;

Expressing concern that the conviction against Armando José Chicoca has not been dropped;

Pointing out that his conviction was a clear breach of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Angola is a signatory.

Send your appeals to:

Procurator General of the Republic
Dr João Maria Moreira de Sousa
Procurador Geral da República
Procuradoria Geral da República
Rua 17 Setembro
Luanda, República de Angola
Fax: + 244 222 333 170/ + 244 222 333 172
Salutation: Excelência

Minister of Justice
Guilhermina Contreiras da Costa Prata
Ministro da Justiça
Ministério da Justiça
Rua 17 Setembro, Luanda, República de Angola
Fax: +244 222 330 327/ +244 222 338 175
Salutation: Excelência

Please send also appeals to diplomatic representatives of Angola in your country. Details of some Angolan embassies around the world can be seen here.

***Please send appeals immediately. Check with PEN International if sending appeals after 13 May 2011.***

For further details please contact Tamsin Mitchell at the Writers in Prison Committee London Office: International PEN, Brownlow House, 50-51 High Holborn, London WC1V 6ER Tel: +44 (0) 207 405 0338 Fax +44 (0) 207 405 0339 email:
tamsin.mitchell@pen-international.org.