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Take all appropriate steps, including the issuance of clear
public orders, to ensure that the Angolan armed forces act in accordance with Angola’s obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law. In particular,
the government should institute mechanisms to prevent ongoing abuses including
extrajudicial executions, arbitrary detention of persons in military custody,
and sexual violence against women and girls. To reduce the likelihood of
abuses against civilians, the government should reassess its practice of
locating military bases near civilian population centers.
Conduct competent, independent and impartial investigations into
serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. Soldiers
implicated in such violations should be suspended during the investigation,
and, where appropriate, be prosecuted in accordance with international fair
trial principles.
Hold persons apprehended only in officially recognized places of
detention. Order the immediate release of any persons unlawfully detained by
the military; persons held for criminal offenses should be transferred to
civilian authority and be appropriately charged. Provide all detainees with
immediate and regular access to family members and lawyers, and allow detainees
to petition for judicial review of their detention without delay. Recognize the
procedural rights of all persons detained or accused of criminal offenses. Inform
the families of detained persons of their detention, and the reason for and
location of the detention.
Appoint magistrates and a prosecutor in each of the four
municipal districts in Cabinda, which are currently vacant.
Provide practical and appropriate training on the laws of armed
conflict and human rights, including on women’s human rights issues and
gender-based crimes, to all members of the Angolan armed forces.
Subject to genuine security considerations, guarantee civilians’
freedom of movement so that they can access their agricultural and hunting
areas in Cabinda.
Take steps to address the problems associated with early
marriages of girls
under the age of eighteen, which include fewer educational and employment
opportunities and high maternal mortality rates due to girls having
children before they are fully mature, by promoting the right to education for
girls and providing skills training for girls, especially in rural areas.
Provide human rights training which includes a component on
women’s human rights and gender-based crimes to all members of the National
Police in Cabinda.
Allow civil society to operate freely in accordance with the
rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly guaranteed in the
Angolan constitution as well as in regional and international human rights
treaties to which Angola is a party.
Take all appropriate steps to ensure that FLEC forces respect
international humanitarian law, in particular the prohibition against attacks
on civilians and the civilian population.
Support human rights and international humanitarian law training
that includes a component on women’s human rights and gender-based crimes as an
integral component of all capacity building and training programs for the FAA.
Support technical assistance to strengthen the policing skills of
the Angolan National Police in Cabinda. Continue to support the Angolan Bar
Association’s monitoring of police stations.
Support institutions and programs that provide reproductive
health services especially in the rural areas.
Support technical assistance to the judiciary to strengthen the
rule of law and promote international fair trial standards. Support a legal aid
program to protect the right to defense, legal aid and counsel for all accused
persons as guaranteed under Article 36 (1) of the Angolan constitution.
Support the development of human rights groups with monitoring
capacity and an independent media, through increased assistance and capacity
building programs.
Conduct regular human rights training for the Angolan National
Police that includes a component on women’s human rights and gender-based
crimes and provide train the trainers training so that the National Police
develops the capacity to conduct human rights training.
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