President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço
President of the Republic of Angola
Palácio Presidencial
Rua 17 de Setembro 
Cidade Alta, Luanda
ANGOLA 

e-mail: secretariageral@oapr.gov.ao


Copy to: 	Embassy of the Republic of Angola
		The Netherlands

Dijk en Waard, August 2026

Your Excellency,

I am writing You as a person who is concerned with the respect of Human Rights, therefore I like to express my great concern about  the situation of

SERROTE JOSÉ DE OLIVEIRA

I am deeply concerned about the shooting and continued arbitrary detention of Serrote José de Oliveira (also known as General Nila), an activist and leader of the UNTRA Movement (Unidade Nacional para a Total Revolução de Angola). 
On 28 July 2025, Serrote José de Oliveira was shot by security forces while filming a live video of a strike in Luanda. After a brief hospital visit, he was forcibly taken into police custody. He has remained detained ever since without any formal charges being brought against him.

Angolan authorities have linked his detention to accusations under Angola’s Vandalism Law, despite key provisions of that law having been declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court in December 2025. The authorities have failed to present credible evidence against Serrote José de Oliveira while repeatedly obstructing his lawyers’ access to the case file, raising serious concerns about fair trial guarantees and due process.

I urge You to ensure Serrote José de Oliveira’s immediate release unless the authorities promptly present a lawful basis for his detention and fully respect his fair trial rights.

Thank you for Your attention in this very important matter, I am looking forward to Your reply and positive news about Serrote José de Oliveira.

Yours sincerely and respectfully,