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USCIS Policy Manual, Chapter 2 – Definition of Child for Citizenship and Naturalization
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USCIS Policy Manual, Chapter 3 – United States Citizens at Birth (INA 301 and 309)
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USCIS Policy Manual, Chapter 4 – Automatic Acquisition of Citizenship after Birth (INA 320)
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USCIS Policy Manual, Chapter 5 – Child Residing Outside of the United States (INA 322)
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USCIS Policy Manual, Chapter 2 – Definition of Child for Citizenship and Naturalization
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USCIS Policy Manual, Chapter 3 – United States Citizens at Birth (INA 301 and 309)
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USCIS Policy Manual, Chapter 4 – Automatic Acquisition of Citizenship after Birth (INA 320)
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USCIS Policy Manual, Chapter 5 – Child Residing Outside of the United States (INA 322)
Human Rights Advocates
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Order for Restoring Peace on Earth (ORPE)
Restoring Human Dignity: A Divine Mandate and a Commitment to Advancing the Rule of Law
We commit to intervening wherever human dignity is violated, fundamental rights are undermined, or justice is denied, taking every action within our capacity to uphold human rights, honor divine law, and preserve the rule of law.
Email: advocacy@orpe.org
Tel: +1 202-972-5030
​The Case That Defied Tyranny: Eduardo Tusamba Moises vs. José Eduardo dos Santos
In the heart of Angola’s struggle for justice and democracy, one man stood against the tide of authoritarian rule. Eduardo Tusamba Moises, a visionary leader and human rights advocate, filed a groundbreaking lawsuit in the United States District Court of Baltimore against José Eduardo dos Santos, Angola's sitting president. Invoking the Alien Tort Claims Act (ATCA), Moises sought justice for a brutal crackdown that targeted him and the institution he led, the University René Descartes of Angola.
Vision and Crackdown
Under Moises’s leadership, the University René Descartes of Angola became a beacon of intellectual freedom and social change. Operating as a division of the Association for the Promotion of Democracy and Good Governance in Angola (APDGA), the university cultivated a generation of critical thinkers determined to challenge corruption and demand accountability.
Recognizing the threat this posed to his regime, dos Santos ordered a violent crackdown on the university through his agents in the ruling MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola). The operation, aimed at silencing dissent, resulted in the destruction of the university, the persecution of students and staff, and relentless harassment of Moises.
A Lawsuit That Shook the World
Eduardo Tusamba Moises’s decision to file a lawsuit in the United States under the ATCA was both bold and unprecedented. The ATCA allows foreign nationals to pursue justice in U.S. courts for violations of international law. In his suit, Moises alleged that dos Santos was directly responsible for human rights violations, including suppression of free speech, destruction of educational institutions, and acts of intimidation and violence.
The legal action also underscored the MPLA’s systematic efforts to dismantle any opposition to its rule. Moises argued that the crackdown on the university was part of a broader campaign to silence reformers and perpetuate autocratic control.
Legal Challenges and Global Attention
The lawsuit faced formidable obstacles. Dos Santos’s defense invoked sovereign immunity, asserting that a sitting head of state could not be held accountable in a foreign court. However, Moises and his legal team contended that crimes against humanity and violations of universally recognized human rights could not be shielded by political office or diplomatic status.
The case attracted international attention, drawing support from human rights organizations and democracy advocates worldwide. It highlighted the plight of Angolans under an oppressive regime and amplified calls for accountability in governance.
Legacy and Impact
Though the legal outcome was uncertain, the case left an indelible mark on the global fight against impunity. Moises’s courage in challenging a powerful head of state inspired others to confront tyranny and demand justice.
The lawsuit also spotlighted the University René Descartes of Angola as a symbol of resistance—a testament to the transformative power of education and activism.
A Call to Action
Eduardo Tusamba Moises’s fight against the regime of MPLA was more than a legal battle. It was a stand for justice, freedom, and the right to dissent. It reminded the world that even in the face of oppression, the pursuit of truth and accountability could ignite a movement for change.