Document - Angola: Denial of medical care for Zeferino Rui Muatxingo and Muatxihina Muatximbala and at least 17 other detainees in Conduege Prison: Health Professional Action
Public Index: AFR 12/002/2010
To: Health Professional Network
From: Health and Human Rights Team
Date: 29 January 2010
Health Professional Action
Denial of medical care for Zeferino Rui Muatxingo and Muatxihina Muatximbala
and at least 17 other detainees in Conduege Prison
Angola
Amnesty International is seriously concerned about the health of Zeferino Rui Muatxingo and Muatxihina Muatximbala and at least 17 other detaineesin Conduege Prison in Dundo, Lunda Norte Province in Angola. Zeferino Rui Muatxingo and Muatxihina Muatximbala are known to be sick as a result of unsanitary conditions and insufficient and inadequate food and water. Despite requests by their lawyer the prison authorities have refused to provide them with medical care. Amnesty International is concerned their health will continue to deteriorate if needed medical attention is not provided.
Amnesty International calls on the Angolan government to ensure these detainees have full and immediate access to appropriate medical services and sanitary conditions.
Background
At least 34 political detainees are currently being held in Conduege Prison in Dundo, the provincial capital of the diamond-rich north eastern province of Lunda Norte. Amnesty International does not have details of the conditions in Conduege Prison or the prisoners’ state of health. However, the organisation has been informed that prison conditions are generally poor, with insufficient poor quality food and untreated water being provided. As a result, 19 detainees have been suffering from severe diarrhoea and blood loss, as well as malaria and pneumonia, for which they are not receiving medical treatment.
Zeferino Rui Muatxingo is reportedly suffering from diarrhoea with bloody stools, blood in his urine, and weight loss. He may also be suffering from malaria. He is not known to have received medical treatment.
Muatxihina Muatximbala is reportedly suffering from malaria, but is not receiving medical treatment.
Zeferino Rui Muatxingo, Muatxihina Muatximbala, and 17 other detainees are part of a group of 34 people arrested throughout April 2009 in several localities in Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul provinces. They are all members of the Comissão do Manifesto Jurídico Sociológico do Protectorado da Lunda Tchokwe (Commission for a Legal Sociological Manifesto of Lunda Tchokwe Protectorate) in Lunda Norte Province, which calls for a federal state.
Zeferino Rui Muatxingo and three others were arrested on 1 April 2009 when they took a copy of their manifesto to Cuango (Lunda Norte) police station. They were arrested on the spot and reportedly beaten by police officers in order to obtain the names of other members of the Commission. Subsequently, 270 people were arrested throughout the province, most of whom were later released uncharged. However, 34 people including Zeferino Rui Muatxingo and Muatxihina Muatximbala were charged with crimes against the state, and they remain in detention. Their trial started in November 2009 but was suspended indefinitely. The case was remitted to the Supreme Court to resolve a legal irregularity.
Recommended action
a) Please write to the Angolan authoritiesbelow in Portuguese or your own language:
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explaining that you are a health professional concerned about human rights;
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expressing concern at reports that Zeferino Rui Muatxingo and Muatxihina Muatximbala and other detainees at Conduege prison are not receiving adequate medical treatment
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calling on the authorities to ensure that these detainees are treated humanely in detention, in accordance with human rights standards;
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urging the authorities to ensure that Zeferino Rui Muatxingo and Muatxihina Muatximbala are examined by independent doctors and receive full and immediate access to the necessary medical care, in accordance with provisions set out in the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.
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seeking information about the current state of the prisoners
Addresses
Minister of Justice
Sua Excelência Guilhermina Contreiras da Costa Prata
Ministra da Justiça
Ministério da Justiça
Rua 17 Setembro
Luanda
República de Angola
Fax: +244 222 339914/ 330 327
Minister of Health
Sua Excelência José Vieira Dias Van-Dúnem
Ministro da Saúde
Ministério da Saúde
Rua 17 Setembro
Luanda
República de Angola
Email: geral@minsa.gov.ao
Provincial Governor
Sua Excelência Gomes Maiato
Governador Provincial
Sede do Governo da Província
Dundo
Lunda Norte
Angola
Fax: +244 252 640 12/645 53
Email: govlunda-norte@hotmail.com
Copies to:
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Sua Excelência Assunção Afonso dos Anjos
Ministro das Relações Exteriores
Ministério das Relações Exteriores
Palácio do Comércio
Avenida Comandante Gika
Luanda
República de Angola
Fax: +244 222 393 246