In less than fifteen days, two people from the aforementioned community died in strange circumstances in their apartments, with signs showing alleged asphyxiation, the death of the general director of the civil society organization ÍRIS and leader of the LGBTQI movement in Angola, Carlos Fernandes, in the early hours of last Sunday, the most recent case
The death of the general director of the civil society organization, ÍRIS, and leader of the LGBTQI movement in Angola, Carlos Fernandes, is generating an alleged feeling of persecution for this group of citizens who say they are vulnerable and unprotected in the face of the temptations and prejudices they face. They say they are targeted daily because of their sexual orientation.
Carlos Fernandes was found dead, in his apartment, in Luanda, in the early hours of Sunday to Monday (26), with signs that indicate, preliminarily, an alleged death by asphyxiation, data, however, not yet confirmed by the Police.
The family, friends and colleagues of the deceased, who have already requested examinations, support the idea that Carlos Fernandes’ death was caused by strange people who ‘do not tolerate’ the LGBT community, given recent events in which people from that community died under the same circumstances.
However, in less than 15 days, this is the second murder of a member of the LGBT community in Angola. The first happened on February 15th, when lawyer Admar Gerson Ornelas Bendrau was also found dead of asphyxiation in his apartment.
Concerns
João Bezal, a member of the LGBT community, links the two deaths to an alleged wave of persecution that, in his opinion, is gaining momentum. For the social activist, the way in which the two people died makes clear the existence of a group of people who are once morest the growth of the community in Angola, which is why they call for greater protection from the police. “How can two people, who were important to the community, die in such a strange way? For us, it is the certainty that we are being persecuted and that we are not safe”, he lamented.
‘Strange death’
Alycia Varanda, from the IRIS organization, considers Carlos Fernandes’ death to be a strange occurrence given the way the crime was committed. Like most of her family, colleagues and friends, Alycia Varanda said she was contacted the following day, when Carlos Fernandes was already dead, in his apartment. “When we arrived at the scene, the police had closed the place and we had no direct contact with the body. But everything points to him having been asphyxiated. We’re just waiting for the results of the autopsy. But it’s a strange and sad death,” she stressed.
Family members demand justice
Bruno Fernandes, cousin of the deceased, considers Carlos Fernandes’ death as a loss for the community and demands that justice be served so that the perpetrators of the crime pay for what they did. Bruno Fernandes describes Carlos Fernandes as the founder of the first Angolan association, authorized by the State, that fights in favor of sexual minorities. He said that Carlos always dedicated all his love to the well-being of the LGBT community and that he trained many young people in the cause for human rights.
“Carlos had everything he needed to leave Angola, but he preferred to help society, welcome people into his home and office. Many were ungrateful, but he didn’t care much regarding it,” he stressed. Bruno Fernandes also said that the situation is already under police custody and that he hopes justice will be served. “At this moment, I only have anger, frustration and helplessness. I want harm from whoever took my brother from me”, he vented
Under investigation
In turn, the Luanda Provincial Command of the National Police, contacted by OPAIS, promised to clarify the case in the coming days, ensuring that the incident is under investigation.
