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A photo posted by Nicki Minaj (@nickiminaj) on Dec 16, 2015 at 10:08am PST
The reigning queen of rap, Nicki Minaj is set to perform this Saturday at a Christmas Festival, Show Unitel Boas Festas, in Angola, according to her official Facebook page. The downside to this- the Human Rights Foundation has asked her to cancel the performance in large part due to the country being ruled for decades by President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Angola has been accused of repressing its people by violating the basic rights of activists, journalists and anyone else who speaks out against government intimidation and oppression. The president uses excessive force through the police department to maintain "order" and make arbitrary arrest, Vibe reports.
Brian Sher, of Category 5 Entertainment, sent Minaj a letter from the head of Human Rights Foundation, Thor Halvorssen, asking her to cancel her scheduled performance. Halvorssen published the letter on his organization's website, the publication reports.
"The letter notes that Angolan hip-hop artist Luaty Beirao was arrested in June after attending a meeting to discuss democracy and non-violence, and that there is a trial underway against him and 16 others who attended the meeting," The Hollywood Reporter states.
Some ppl can make u feel loved with just a few simple words & actions. Others say & do the most & still don&39;t know how to love anyone but themselves. A photo posted by Nicki Minaj (@nickiminaj) on Dec 14, 2015 at 1:35am PST
In the letter obtained by THR, Halvorssen boldly asked, "As a strong-willed independent artist, shouldn't you be advocating for the release of the imprisoned rapper Luaty Beirao rather than entertaining the dictator and his thieving family?" Minaj's camp has yet to respond.
Halvorssen also accuses the president's billionaire daughter of leading the beneficiary in the blood diamond trade in Angola. He notes that the Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Freedom House and the Committee to Protect Journalists has been documenting the human-rights crimes of the dos Santos family, the publication reports.
In his last statement to Minaj, Halvorssen states, "Ms. Minaj, you are well known for being involved with charities such as the Get Schooled Foundation, which helps motivate young people to graduate from high school and succeed in college. If you move forward with this performance for the dictator and his family, you will be in league with the people stealing educational resources and opportunity from young Angolans."
Such a dynamic year. Thank u 4 ur support. ThePinkprint
A photo posted by Nicki Minaj (@nickiminaj) on Dec 9, 2015 at 1:29pm PST
What do you think, readers, should Minaj cancel her performance?
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