Background Briefing

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II. RECOMMENDATIONS

To The Government of Angola

The Angolan constitution includes explicit guarantees of freedom of expression, association, and assembly. The Angolan government, consistent with its stated intentions, should:

  • Respect and fully enforce provisions in the Angolan constitution on freedoms of expression, association, and assembly.
  • Allow journalists to carry out their legitimate work, including reporting on government policies and activities, without harassment.
  • Allow journalists access to government information and facilities. Administrative measures should be put in place to enhance the transparency of public administration and minimize official secrecy.
  • Uphold the right of all individuals to freedom of association, in compliance with Angolan law and international standards, including the right to form and join public associations and political parties. Ensure that the legally prescribed process of registration for such groups is applied expeditiously, consistently and fairly.
  • Allow leaders and supporters of opposition parties to express their views, including views that are critical of government policies. Issue clear instructions to all members of the security and intelligence services that no person should be arrested or detained purely on the basis of their political views.
  • End onerous restrictions on public meetings and peaceful demonstrations and permit, in a consistent and transparent manner, such activities to be carried out by political parties, public associations, and others, in accordance with Angolan law and international human rights standards. Issue clear instructions to the police that they should not use force or violence to respond to peaceful protests.
  • Investigate and prosecute alleged abuses of civil and political rights, including threats against journalists and political activists, by state agents; provide training to personnel in the police and judicial system to enable them to perform their duties effectively and fairly.
  • Repeal the criminal defamation laws, including those criminalizing criticism of government or other public authorities, in particular Articles 44, 45, and 46 of the Angolan Press Law (Lei de Imprensa, No. 22/91). The government should not misapply the civil defamation laws to restrict legitimate journalistic work, political criticism, and debate.
  • Repeal other laws restricting freedom of expression, assembly, and association, including Articles 47, 48, 49, and 50 of the Angolan Press Law (Lei de Imprensa, No. 22/91) and Articles 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the Angolan Law on the Right of Assembly and Demonstration (Lei sobre o Direito de ReuniÃo e de ManifestaçÃo No. 16/91).
  • Apply the Johannesburg Principles on National Security and Freedom of Expression, which seek to ensure that national security restrictions protect the interests of the nation rather than the interests of the government.
  • Establish a fair and open process for the allocation of radio and television broadcasting frequencies and the granting of licenses to broadcast to provide equal opportunity of access.
  • Extend an invitation to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to visit Angola to examine freedoms of expression, association, and assembly and assist the Commission to discharge its mandate during such visit.
  • Invite the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression to visit the country and prepare a report on freedom of expression in advance of national elections.

To Angolan Journalists’ Associations:

  • Promote the adoption of, and compliance with, a journalists’ code of ethics and, in particular, the voluntary publication of apologies and corrections for inaccurate or unfair statements.

To Foreign Governments and Intergovernmental Organizations:

  • In the run-up to the elections, monitor closely violations of freedoms of expression, association, and assembly in the context of bilateral and multilateral relations with the government of Angola and make the protection and promotion of such freedoms an integral part of assistance strategies. Support free and private media to enhance accountability and transparency in public administration and democratic development generally.
  • Continue to support programs that will train journalists, and that will raise public awareness about freedom of expression, association, and assembly through training, education, and promotional activities.
  • Support programs that raise awareness of, and reinforce a commitment, to civil and political rights in the National Police, the Angolan Armed Forces, the Civil Defense Organization, the media, and Angolan civil society.


<<previous  |  index  |  next>>July 2004