Luanda – The Angolan government delivered this Wednesday the bones of Alves Bernardo Baptista “Nito Alves”, Jacob João Caetano "Monstro Imortal", Arsénio José Lourenço “Siyanouk” e de Ilídio Ramalhete, who were victims of the 27 May 1977 events.
The delivery of the bones took place in the Army Headquarters (Former RI20) in the presence of the victims´ relatives, members of the Reconciliation Commission in Memory of the Political Conflicts Victims (CIVICOP), the 27 May Foundation, churches and civil society representatives.
The CIVICOP coordinator and minister of Justice and Human Rights, Francisco Queiroz, considered the time as of great significance for the national reconciliation process, forgiveness and pacification of spirits.
“With this act it is not intended to erase the history of the sad events of 27 May, but it is intended to fulfill a justice duty towards the relatives and to pay a deserved tribute to those who died in that political conflict”, stressed the official.
In the speech to the nation delivered on 26 May 2021, the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, on behalf of the Angolan State publicly expressed apologies and requested pardon due to the appalling acts that were the summary executions of the 27 of May events.
According to minister Francisco Queiroz, these humanism acts of the Head of State and for the respect of the families are not just words.
The official stressed that the Head of State manifested the regret and the will to stop the anguish that during these 45 years the relatives of the victims have withstood, due to the lack of information on the destiny given to their beloved ones.
“Fulfilling that promise, here we are today honouring the memory of four political conflicts victims, handing over their bones to their relatives, so that they can carry out the funerals they are entitled to with dignity,” said the minister.
The official recalled that the fulfilling of this mission and under the guidance of the Head of State, the CIVICOP started a long way to approach the estranged brothers in a straightforward and sincere dialogue process.
Francisco Queiroz highlighted that the process created a trusting climate and breaking of taboos that end now with the identification and return of the bodies of the Angolan citizens who died during the unfortunate 27 May events.
The minister said that it was necessary to observe and comply with meticulous scientifically rigorous procedures, in accordance with universally accepted rules for locating graves, exhuming bones and carrying out genetic analyses, to determine DNA and compare with the same type of examination to the genetic material provided by the families.
The minister clarified that the process complied with the rules of forensic science and made it possible to determine, with certainty and a DNA test, that the bones deposited in the four coffins belong to Nito Alves, Monstro Immortal, Siyanouk and Ramalhete.
Meanwhile, together with bones were also delivered to relatives the reports of the genetic examination of forensic anthropology expertise and DNA studies carried out on bones and samples provided by these same families.
