The organization Friends of Angola (FoA), in a statement released today, expressed regret that a group of seven activists was prevented from boarding a flight of the Portuguese airline on November 22 at the 4 de Fevereiro International Airport in Luanda, en route to Cape Verde.
The Angolan NGO reported that no legal or plausible explanation was presented to the young people, noting that the requirements communicated to them did not seem to have formal support.
“This raises serious doubts about the respect for the rights to free movement and civic participation,” the FoA stated, considering that the hindrance did not result from a simple logistical or administrative failure, but rather an interference that directly affects the freedom of movement, the right to participate, and the development of young Angolans.
FoA “demands immediate and public clarification from the entities involved—including TAP and the Angolan or transit authorities—regarding the specific motivations that led to the boarding blockage.”
It also calls for ensuring that events of this nature—organized to foster democracy, youth participation, and exchange between Lusophone countries—can take place without arbitrary impediments or discrimination.
The organization further appeals for the cooperation bodies between Angola and Portugal, as well as human rights entities and the press, “to follow the case and ensure that actions limiting the right to travel, learn, and participate in democratic processes are not repeated.”
The FoA “reserves the right to pursue all legal and institutional avenues to hold those responsible accountable for the direct and indirect damages caused to the young people and the organization,” the statement added.
Angolan activists preparing to travel to Cape Verde via Lisbon claimed they were prevented from boarding in Luanda, allegedly due to a lack of authorization from the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA), responsible for migration processes in Portugal.
In a video shared on Facebook, activist Jeiel de Freitas reported that the group of seven intended to participate in an exchange program organized by Friends of Angola in Cape Verde. They planned to travel with TAP with a stopover in Lisbon, as there are no direct flights from Angola to Cape Verde.
He stated that an airline employee informed them that all passengers transiting through Portugal must present an authorization issued by AIMA.
Contacted by Lusa, TAP stated only that it “always follows the indications of the competent authorities” regarding boarding admissibility, without clarifying the alleged requirement for AIMA authorization.
