WRITTEN QUESTION P-1026/00 by Luís Queiró (UEN) to the Council. Angola.
Date: 2000-03-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Angola, EU relations, establishment of peace, international human rights law

C 26 E/146

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

26.1.2001

(2001/C 26 E/181)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1026/00

by Lu(cid:237)s Queir(cid:243) (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 (cid:145)Global Witness(cid:146). Of these, the first is on UNITA and the second (more
recent) focuses on the Government of the People(cid:146)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(cid:146)s position on the situation in Angola, in
the above-mentioned recent reports and considering that, notably,
the light of
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?

the revelations of

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.

the Council certainly urges the Angolan Government

Having said that,
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(cid:146)s control, of democratic principles and of good governance and for the
consolidation of a free civil society.