WRITTEN QUESTION E-0640/03 by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission. Angola — Cabinda — human rights.
Date: 2003-03-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Angola, Commission Delegation, civil war, democratisation, human rights, peacekeeping, political cooperation, report, the EU's international role

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Official Journal of the European Union

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26.2.2004

Can the Council answer the following:

(cid:1) has the Council examined the above-mentioned report?

(cid:1) has it been made aware by other means of the human rights violations referred to?

(cid:1) does it have a position on the claims made?

(cid:1) does the Council believe it is in its power to take measures to help ensure that human rights violations
of this nature will not recur and, if possible, to promote a political dialogue which will put an end to
the conflict in Cabinda?

Reply

(29 September 2003)

The Council has always followed developments in Angola closely, particularly in the province of Cabinda,
and remains concerned about reports on human rights violations as referred to by the Honourable
Member. The Council’s position on human rights violations is well known and constantly repeated in the
appropriate fora. The Council is trying to do its utmost to take measures that help ensure that human
rights violations will not recur. It has called on the government of Angola to provide the necessary
resources to meet the humanitarian challenges and to implement policies aimed at ensuring civil rights and
delivering real and sustainable economic and social reform. The EU is committed to continuing to raise
human rights issues and to assisting the Angolan authorities in their efforts to alleviate the suffering of the
people in the context of an ongoing political dialogue under Article 8 of the Cotonou Agreement. It will
continue to follow developments in the situation with the aim of facilitating a negotiated solution.

(2004/C 51 E/035)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0640/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(4 March 2003)

Subject: Angola (cid:1) Cabinda (cid:1) human rights

In December 2002 a report was presented in Luanda drawing attention to serious violations of human
rights in the Angolan province of Cabinda. This report was produced by Angolan NGOs. Several of its
claims have since been confirmed from other sources (notably Amnesty International) and relayed in the
international press.

The report accuses both the Angolan military and the pro-independence FLEC.

The long-standing conflict between the Angolan government and UNITA has recently subsided, bringing in
its wake the return of peace. Angola is now endeavouring to consolidate democracy in a framework of
national reconciliation and freedom, without which it will be impossible to rebuild the nation or, by the
same token, promote the welfare of its inhabitants. However, the problem of Cabinda remains unsolved, as
does the associated armed conflict; meanwhile, all initiatives are to be welcomed if they contribute to the
broadening and deepening of the framework for peace and reconstruction and are based on a full
commitment to respecting fundamental human rights.

The Commission has a delegation in Luanda and is responsible for a number of programmes in Angola.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr Sérgio Vieira de Mello, visited the country in January
2003.

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Official Journal of the European Union

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Can the Commission answer the following:

(cid:1) has the Commission examined the above-mentioned report and been made aware by other means of

the human rights violations referred to?

(cid:1) does it have a position on the claims made?

(cid:1) has its delegation in Luanda taken steps to verify them?

(cid:1) did it raise the subject at any meeting with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights?

(cid:1) does the Commission believe it is in its power to take measures to help ensure that human rights
violations of this nature will not recur and, if possible, to promote a political dialogue which will put
an end to the conflict in Cabinda?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2003)

Following the signature of the peace agreement between the Government and UNITA in April 2002 and
the subsequent unfolding of the peace process, the situation in Cabinda is one of the issues that remains to
be solved. The Commission is aware of the difficult situation of the people in Cabinda and recalls its
position that all efforts must be made to resolve conflicts through peaceful means. Furthermore the respect
of human rights is of paramount importance. The Commission continues to insist that ensuring lasting
peace requires an improvement of democratic conditions in Angola, especially promoting improvements in
the human rights situation, with the full participation of all stakeholders. Commissioner Nielson visited
Angola from 25-28 January 2003. During his meetings with government representatives,
including
President dos Santos, he also specifically emphasised the need to respect human rights.

The Commission has indeed knowledge of the report ‘Terror in Cabinda’ by the Ad-Hoc Commission for
Human Rights in Cabinda and the Coalition for Citizens’ Rights, Reconciliation and Transparency
published in December 2002 and supported by the International non-governmental organisation (NGO)
‘Open Society’. Furthermore,
the Commission obtains information from Angolan and international
organisations as well as the local media on the actual state of the ongoing conflict and the alleged
human rights abuses in Cabinda.

Due to the civil war in the country and the serious humanitarian situation, the Community’s co-operation
activities were concentrated in the Southeastern provinces and the Planalto Central. In addition the military
activities in Cabinda, intensified after the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding, made access to
for international organisations. Given the above and the absence of any
the region more difficult
permanent United Nations (UN) agency or Community-financed NGOs working in Cabinda,
the
Commission Delegation has limited possibilities to confirm these allegations.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr Sérgio Viera de Mello, during his visit in the country in
January 2003, stressed the importance of having a National Human Rights Action Plan to ensure that the
human rights aspects of the Angolan Constitution and domestic legislation were being implemented.

The Union considers the ongoing conflict a source of concern, and believes that the alleged violations of
human rights described in the December 2002 report must be carefully examined. The Union will explore
in the political dialogue with the Government of Angola measures that could be taken to ensure respect
and strengthening of human rights. In this context the signature and ratification by Angola of the UN
Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment would be an
important element and initiatives to facilitate the process will be examined.
the
Commission intends to encourage NGOs to be active in the province as far as this is possible.

In the meantime,