WRITTEN QUESTION P-1026/00

by Luís Queiró (UEN) to the Council

(28 March 2000)

Subject: Angola

The most recent report by the US Department of State on human rights, published on 25 February 2000, enumerates, in detail, numerous cases of human rights abuses in Angola, including violations of personal integrity and individual freedom (executions without trial, torture and other abusive treatment, arbitrary arrest, violations of privacy and property rights), violations of civil liberties (of the freedoms of expression and association and the rights of religions and other movements), non-respect of political rights and discrimination of various kinds (against women, children and persons with disabilities). In addition, two reports have been published by Global Witness. Of these, the first is on UNITA and the second (more recent) focuses on the Government of the People's Republic of Angola. In both reports it is claimed that the diamond trade and the oil-exporting business are serving to finance the war effort, and that corruption exist at the highest level of the national authorities.

In view of the above, can the Council state whether it intends to maintain its one-dimensional position on the situation in Angola; whether, in particular, it still considers Angola to be a state based on the rule of law where human rights are respected; whether it still believes that the peace process based on the Lusaka protocol is being applied (and that only one of the parties is in breach of this protocol); and whether it remains convinced that there can be a military solution to the conflict, or whether, on the contrary, it believes there is an urgent need for an overall revision of the EU's position on the situation in Angola, in the light of the revelations of the above-mentioned recent reports and considering that, notably, simultaneous withdrawal by the contending parties is the first condition if the people of Angola are to be allowed to live in peace, to acquire their freedom, to create a democratic system and, in the last analysis, to live in conditions which are compatible with the universal values of human dignity?

Reply

(8 June 2000)

Having constantly kept a close watch on developments in the situation in Angola, the Council is aware of the contents of the reports referred to by the Honourable Member.

In the declaration issued by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union regarding Angola on 17 January 2000, the European Union stated its position both on the military situation and on political, economic and social developments in the country. In that declaration the Union said it remained convinced of the need for a political solution to bring a lasting peace to the country, allowing stability and progress for the Angolan people.

The European Union believes that UNITA, under the leadership of Jonas Savimbi, by failing to comply with key provisions of the Lusaka Protocol, bears the prime responsibility for the war in Angola. By acting in persistent defiance of United Nations Security Council Resolutions, Dr Savimbi has deliberately chosen the path of conflict instead of fulfilling his undertakings, a course of action which raises legitimate doubts as to whether he really intends to work towards national reconciliation in Angola.

Having said that, the Council certainly urges the Angolan Government to continue implementing economic and financial reforms and combating corruption and poverty, so as to create the appropriate political, social and economic environment for democracy and the rule of law to flourish in Angola. The Government has a special responsibility to bear here for the promotion of human rights, including in areas previously under UNITA's control, of democratic principles and of good governance and for the consolidation of a free civil society.