PEN International condemns the one-year prison sentence and heavy fine handed down on March 3, 2011, to journalist Armando José Chicoca on defamation charges for reporting on sexual harassment allegations against a senior judicial official in 2007. PEN believes that Chicoca has been sentenced solely for his peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression in violation of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Angola is a state party. PEN calls for Chicoca’s immediate and unconditional release.

Background Information

On March 3, 2011, Armando José Chicoca, a reporter for various private Angolan newspapers including Folha 8, Agora, and O Apostolado, as well as for the U.S. government-funded broadcaster Voice of America (VOA), was sentenced to one year in prison and a fine of US$2,100 by a court in the southwestern province of Namibe. He was transferred to Comarca Prison in Namibe following sentencing.
 
Chicoca was charged with defamation for reporting on sexual harassment allegations against the presiding judge of the Provincial Court of Namibe. The lawsuit was filed by the judge in question. Chicoca’s defense lawyer was not present during his trial; it is not clear whether or not he was barred from attending. According to his lawyer, Chicoca intended to appeal the ruling.
 
In 2007 Chicoca spent 33 days in prison after police arrested him while he was reporting on protests against the demolition of a street market.

Write A Letter

  • Condemning the one-year prison sentence and heavy fine handed down to reporter Armando José Chicoca on defamation charges;
  • Calling for his immediate and unconditional release in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Angola is a state party;
  • Calling on the Angolan authorities to ensure that Chicoca has full access to his lawyers and family while in detention;
  • Urging the Angolan government to decriminalize press offenses, including defamation, in order to avoid similar cases in the future.

Send Your Letter To

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

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 copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for Angola in your country if possible.

Please check with PEN if sending appeals after March 20, 2011: ftw [at] pen.org