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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.
- 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.
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