Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang

Equatorial Guinea: arbitrary detention of lawyer Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang after allegations of torture

13 November 2024

Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang is an Equatoguinean lawyer and human rights activist, member of the platform Guinea Ecuatorial También Es Nuestra (‘Equatorial Guinea is also ours’). Tortured before his arrest in January 2024, his place of detention is inaccessible to his family and lawyers.

Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang was arrested in September 2022 when he provided food and water to members of the opposition party Ciudadanos por la Innovación (Citizens for Innovation ) who were under police siege.

Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang was arrested in September 2022 when he provided food and water to members of the opposition party Ciudadanos por la Innovación (Citizens for Innovation ) who were under police siege. Charged with ‘ insulting the government, unlawful assembly, breach of security ’, the lawyer was transferred to Black Beach prison and was not released until June 2023, after 271 days without being able to contact his family.

In September 2023, the lawyer filed a complaint for kidnapping, assault and battery, death threats, armed robbery, psychological and physical torture, cruel and inhuman treatment, false accusations, illegal detention, deprivation of liberty and communication, against a group of people including his alleged torturer, Sergeant Emiliano Nve Eyama, who works at Black Beach prison.

In December 2023, Ndong Nlang was summoned by the police. The lawyer refused orders to make a video refuting his complaint and was detained in situ for 4 days without charge.

The lawyer was brutally arrested on 26 January 2024. The police held him for 33 days without informing him of the charges against him. It was not until March 2024 that Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang learned that his arrest was linked to his complaint against Sergeant Emiliano Nve Eyana. He was transferred again to Black Beach prison, where the Sergeant works.

The Ministry of Justice initially authorised visits from his lawyers and activists, but Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang disappeared from prison in April 2024. It was not until some of the activists imprisoned with the lawyer were released that they reported that Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang was being held at the Oveng Azem high security prison in Mongomo.

The Observatory strongly condemns the arbitrary detention of Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang for having denounced acts of torture perpetrated by a State agent.

The Observatory urges the Equatoguinean authorities to release the lawyer immediately and unconditionally, believing that this arbitrary detention is intended to silence him and discourage other lawyers from denouncing human rights violations committed by State agents.

The Observatory urges the opening of an impartial and transparent investigation into the accusations of torture made by Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang, in accordance with the State’s obligations to prevent and punish acts of torture, as well as its duty to protect those who denounce such violations.

The Observatory recalls that, in accordance with the basic principles of the United Nations relating to the role of the Bar, in particular principles 16, 17 and 23 :

“Governments shall ensure that lawyers (a) are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference; (…).” (Principle 16)

“Where the security of lawyers is threatened as a result of discharging their functions, they shall be adequately safeguarded by the authorities.” (Principle 17)

„Lawyers like other citizens are entitled to freedom of expression, belief, association and assembly. In particular, they shall have the right to take part in public discussion of matters concerning the law, the administration of justice and the promotion and protection of human rights and to join or form local, national or international organizations and attend their meetings, without suffering professional restrictions by reason of their lawful action or their membership in a lawful organization. In exercising these rights, lawyers shall always conduct themselves in accordance with the law and the recognized standards and ethics of the legal profession.“ (Principle 23)