Concerns about the Situation of Mr. Arão Bula Tempo

On October 22, 2015, Mr. Arão Bula Tempo, a lawyer and President of the Angola Provincial Bar Association Council in Cabinda, was charged with attempt to “collaborate with foreigners with a view to coercing the Angolan State” (which bears a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment) and rebellion (a maximum sentence of 12 years imprisonment).

He was arrested on March 14, 2015 and was released conditionally two months later.

Mr Tempo was accused of having invited journalists from the Republic of Congo to cover a peaceful demonstration – which he had helped organise – against what the organisers considered poor governance and corruption.

The UIA wrote to the President of the Angola National Bar Association to express its concerns insofar as the proceedings against Mr. Arão Bula Tempo were evidently initiated solely due to his human rights defence activities and his exercise of his right to freedom of expression (see below).