JOINT STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT The EU Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance ('GSP+') assessment of Cabo Verde covering the period 2016 - 2017 Accompanying the document Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council Report on the Generalised Scheme of Preferences during the period 2016 - 2017
Date: 2018-01-19
Institutions: Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security, European Commission
Subjects: Cabo Verde, EU market, common commercial policy, environmental protection, generalised preferences, governance, human rights, international convention, sustainable development, tariff preference

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  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION HIGH REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNION FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SECURITY POLICY Brussels, 19.1.2018  SWD(2018) 25 final  JOINT STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT  The EU Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance ('GSP+') assessment of Cabo Verde covering the period 2016 - 2017 Accompanying the document Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council Report on the Generalised Scheme of Preferences during the period 2016 - 2017 {COM(2018) 36 final} - {SWD(2018) 23 final} - {SWD(2018) 24 final} - {SWD(2018) 26 final} - {SWD(2018) 27 final} - {SWD(2018) 28 final} - {SWD(2018) 29 final} - {SWD(2018) 30 final} - {SWD(2018) 31 final} - {SWD(2018) 32 final}  
 
 
Cabo Verde GSP+ Assessment  

1. Country Overview 

Cabo  Verde's  overall  human  rights  record  is  positive.  The  country  has  stable  political 
institutions,  a  well-functioning  multiparty  parliamentary  democracy  and  an  independent 
judiciary.  National,  local  and  presidential  elections,  all  last  held  in  2016,  were  judged  both 
free and fair. Cabo Verde ranks third among all African countries in the 2016 Ibrahim Index 
of  African  Governance,  and  first  in  the  Index's  subcategory  Participation  &  Human  Rights. 
Despite  the  lack  of  natural  resources  and  its  structural  vulnerabilities  as  a  small  state  of  10 
scattered  islands  with  important  inter-connectivity  and  transportation  problems  between  the 
islands, the country succeeded in evolving to a middle-income country in 2007. The country 
faces  severe  climate  adaptation  challenges  associated  with  water  resource  availability,  food 
and energy security, and desertification. Only 10% of its territory is classified as arable land. 
Considerable efforts to enhance water mobilisation have yielded results and will continue.  

2.  Compliance with GSP+ Obligations 

2.1.  UN Human Rights Conventions (Conventions 1-7) 

Status of ratification and reporting 

Cabo Verde has maintained the ratification of all GSP+ related UN human rights conventions. 

Cabo  Verde  did  not  fulfill  its  reporting  obligations  for  most  of  the  seven  human  rights 
conventions, namely CAT, CRC, CCPR, CERD and CESCR. When reports were submitted, 
this was usually with significant delays. This is largely due to the structural challenge of the 
country's small  public administration and insufficient  administrative resources. Due to these 
limitations,  Cabo  Verde  did  not  reply  to  the  2016  Scorecard  in  the  context  of  the  GSP+ 
monitoring process either. This issue together with other salient issues were discussed during 
the EU GSP+ monitoring mission that took place in Cabo Verde from 18 to 20 July 2017.  

However, since the EU GSP+ monitoring mission, the country has made significant efforts to 
submit  the  reports  on  time,  notably  regarding  the  implementation  of  CEDAW,  resulting  in 
Cabo Verde having submitted all required past reports under that Convention. The report for 
2017 is under preparation. Overdue reports under CCPR, CESCR and CRC have been drafted 
in 2017 and were to be submitted at the time of writing. The country's first report under CAT 
is currently under preparation and will cover the entire period 1994–2017.  

The  EU,  UN  and  ILO  have  been  providing  technical  and  financial  support  to  the  Cabo 
Verdean authorities to increase its reporting capacity. During the EU GSP+ mission to Cabo 
Verde in July 2017, the Government informed the EU that it intended to significantly improve 
the country's  reporting capacity on the human rights conventions by setting  up a permanent 
interministerial  commission  composed  of  representatives  of  six  different  ministries,  which 
would report directly to the Prime Minister (PM) and draw on the PM office as its secretariat. 
A  Government  decree  on  this  Interministerial  Commission  was  published  in  the  Official 
Journal on 15 June 2017. The conventions on environmental protection, labour rights, drugs 
and corruption will however not be dealt with by this commission.  

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Status of implementation of the conventions 

Despite  shortcomings  regarding  its  reporting  obligations,  Cabo  Verde  has  a  good  record  on 
the  implementation  of  the  main  conventions.  This  is  recognised  in  the  EU  Human  Rights 
Country Strategy for Cabo Verde, and by the main human rights organisations' reports on the 
country. The outcome of Cabo Verde's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in April 2013 also 
confirmed  that  there  are  no  major  concerns  as  regards  human  rights  and  fundamental 
freedoms. The next UPR is scheduled for 2018.  

However,  concrete  concerns  remain  in  the  following  areas:  violence  and  discrimination 
against  women,  violation  of  the  rights  of  the  child,  prison  conditions  and  weaknesses 
(especially  long  delays)  in  the  judiciary  system.  More  generally,  a  still  fragile  economic 
situation tends to impact in particular economic, social and cultural rights. However, efforts 
are  being  made.  For  example,  the  Government  is  currently  preparing  a  law  on  the  Right  to 
Food. 

The  country  generally  supports  UN  resolutions  regarding  human  rights  issues  and  has  been 
very  vocal  in  its  support  of  the  International  Criminal  Court  (ICC),  including  within  the 
African  Union.  Its  international  position  on  human  rights  is  consistent  with  its  domestic 
situation.  The  Constitution  protects  against  any  form  of  discrimination.  While  social 
discrimination  based  on  sexual  orientation  and  gender  identity  continues  to  occur,  LGBTI 
identities  can  generally  be  shown  openly  in  public.  In  terms  of  rights  to  education,  Cabo 
Verde  ranks  7th  in  the  2016  Ibrahim  Index.  Over  the  last  five  years,  the  country  has  made 
significant  progress  in  migration  management,  both  immigration  and  emigration,  and  in 
improving  migrants'  rights.  However,  discrimination  against  migrants  mainly  coming  from 
West Africa occurs. 

A legal framework and specific human rights institutions are in place to proactively deal with 
the protection of human rights. Such institutions include the National Commission on Human 
Rights and Citizenship (CNDHC), whose president has so far been nominated by the Minister 
of Justice  and which so  far is  financed  under the Ministry's budget.  This  is  in  contradiction 
with the UN rules relating to national human rights institutions. Recommendations to reform 
the  Commission  were  made  during  the  UPR  and  a  revised  draft  statute  that  would  give  the 
CNDHC full independence, its own budget, and increase its staff, is expected to be adopted 
by  the  end  of  2017.  The  CNDHC  has  focal  points  in  all  22  municipalities  on  all  of  the 
country's nine inhabited islands, but their capacity could be strengthened. It also participates 
in  consultations  with  the  Government  to  define  national  legislation  in  the  framework  of 
human rights protection.  

A Second National Plan (2018-2023) for Human Rights and Citizenship is being drafted and 
expected to be finalised and approved by the end of 2017, but no further details were known 
yet  at  the  time  of  writing.  The  CNDHC's  priorities  for  the  new  plan  include  the  juvenile 
penitentiary  system,  with  a  particular  focus  on the  development  of  alternative  non-custodial 
measures and enhancement of the social reintegration system of juvenile detainees. 

The Cabo Verdean Institute of Equity and Gender (ICIEG, a Government agency) has been 
working on the protection of the legal rights of women. The Cabo Verdean Institute for the 
Child  and  Adolescents  (ICCA)  is  a  national  network  that  aims  to  combat  the  abuse  of  and 
sexual  violence  against  children,  in  cooperation  with  local  authorities,  police  forces,  the 
attorney  general,  hospitals  and  health  centres.  In  2017,  the  CNDHC  also  contributed  to  the 
elaboration of  the  National  Plan  Against  Sexual  Abuse  of Minors  in  close  cooperation  with 
ICCA  and  ICIEG.  In  2017,  this  topic  was  officially  addressed  by  the  Government  in  the 
framework of the public campaign called 'Zero Tolerance'. 

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As  identified  by  the  Cabo  Verdean  institutions,  international  institutions  (EU  and  UN), 
international  civil  society  actors  and  human  rights  defenders,  Cabo  Verde's  main 
shortcomings  are  related  to  its  limited  administrative  capacity  (leading  to  severe  delays  in 
reporting) and a weak implementation of its legal framework related to the rights of women, 
children and detainees. These issues, together with gender based violence, correspond to the 
country-specific priorities outlined for Cabo Verde in the EU Human Rights and Democratic 
Country Strategy (2016). 

International  Convention  on  the  Elimination  of  All  Forms  of  Racial 
Discrimination (CERD) 

The Constitution and laws of Cabo Verde prohibit any discrimination based on race, gender, 
religion, disability, language or social status. The law also prohibits racism, xenophobia and 
other forms of discrimination. 

The  implementation  and  enforcement  of  the  legal  framework  in  this  area  is  generally 
effective. Discrimination against migrants from West Africa is however a concern. 

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR) 

The protection of civil and political rights including fundamental freedoms is ensured by the 
Constitution  and  by  legislation.  The  Government  generally  respects  these  rights,  including 
freedom of expression, association and press. 

The legal system, based on the Constitution, promotes democratic values and guarantees the 
separation  of  powers.  The  State  institutions  are  overall  functioning  well,  albeit  not  without 
delays and administrative capacity limitations. The law provides for the right of all citizens to 
a  fair  trial  and  an  independent  judiciary,  a  provision  which  the  Government  respects  in 
practice. Defendants have the right to be present and to consult  with an attorney in a timely 
manner and free legal counsel is provided to the poor.  

However, as identified in the 2016 GSP Report, the judicial system lacks sufficient staffing, 
efficiency  and  speed.  There  is  a  considerable  backlog  of  pending  cases.  A  new  study  to 
address this problem is underway.  

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) 

The Cabo Verdean Constitution recognises economic and social rights. Chapter III refers to 
labour rights, while Articles 69, 70 and 71 protect social security, health and housing rights. 

Good progress was made in terms of fulfilling its remaining Millennium Development Goals 
(related  to  poverty,  mortality  of  mothers  at  birth  and  of  children  under  five).  Economic 
growth  over  the  last  years  has  been  translated  into  improved  social  conditions:  poverty  in 
Cabo Verde has dropped significantly. Progress in the education and health sectors has also 
been  substantial  (for  example,  the  literacy  rate  of  15-24  year-olds  is  around  98%)  with  a 
number  of  specific  targeted  programmes  being  carried  out,  such  as  the  school  vaccination 
programme. 

Access  to  water  keeps  improving  despite  the  general  scarcity  of  potable  water  sources  and 
severely  limited  rainfall  across  the  islands.  A  comprehensive  National  Strategic  Plan  for 
Access to Water and Sanitation (PLENAS) is in place. This plan aims to increase the access 
rate to the public water distribution system to 90% by 2030, up from the current 65%. Today, 
access  to  water  in  many  areas  is  provided  by  truck,  cistern  or  water  points,  which  ensures 
access  to  water  for  95%  of  the  population.  Access  to  sanitation  is  foreseen  by  PLENAS  to 

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reach  up  to  70%  in  cities  by  2030  (the  rate  in  the  capital,  Praia,  for  instance,  is  currently 
28%).  

Access  to  health  has  been  improved  considerably  on  all  nine  inhabited  islands,  with  health 
centres now being available in all municipalities at no more than 30 minutes walking distance 
for  all  inhabitants.  Medical  staff  visit  the  most  remote  areas  by  boat  on  a  monthly  basis. 
However, there is a shortage of specialised medical staff. 

In  2015,  the  UN  Special  Rapporteur  on  Adequate  Housing  visited  Cabo  Verde  for  the  first 
time and made recommendations. The Cabo Verdean authorities did not provide information 
regarding the implementation of these recommendations. 

Convention  on  the  Elimination  of  All  Forms  of  Discrimination  Against 
Women (CEDAW) 

Despite  legal  prohibitions  against  gender-based  discrimination  and  the  existence  of  legal 
provisions for equal rights for men and women under family, labour, property and inheritance 
laws, discrimination against women in the public and private sphere still exists, due to deep-
rooted gender-based stereotypes embedded in culture and society. 

Based  on  data  provided  by  the  National  Institute  of  Statistics  (INE,  2015)  44.6%  of  
households are headed by women and 93% of mothers are single mothers, a factor which is 
having a strong impact on poverty particularly in rural areas but also in the most vulnerable 
urban neighbourhoods.  

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains an issue of concern. In 2011, a law came into force to 
criminalise  GBV,  focusing  on  three  main  objectives:  improving  the  protection  of  victims, 
strengthening sanctions against offenders and raising awareness.  

Civil society organisations have been requesting more effective law enforcement in terms of 
implementing  further  actions  involving  legal  counselling,  psychological  care  and  family 
courts to deal with domestic violence. However, women – especially in rural and remote areas 
–  often  lack  the  information  and  means  necessary  to  claim  their  rights.  Awareness-raising 
activities in remote areas are therefore also needed. 

The authorities have created a network connecting NGOs, national police, health centres and 
community  law  centres,  which  is  considered  to  be  effective.  The  caseload  of  GBV-related 
complaints  has  decreased.  Nonetheless,  violence  and  discrimination  against  women  remain 
significant  problems  and  the  number  of  complaints  has  actually  increased,  reflecting  an 
increased general awareness of GBV. 

Cabo  Verde  is  pursuing  its  policy  for  non-discrimination  of  women  and  combating  GBV 
through the implementation  of  two main  plans. One  is  the Third  National  Plan  for  Equality 
(2015-2018),  which  focuses  on  measures  and  results  in  the  following  areas:  sexual  and 
reproductive  rights,  health,  gender-based  violence,  education  and  vocational  training, 
reproductive economy, political participation in decision-making and communication spheres, 
and  institutional  strengthening.  The  second  plan  is  the  Plan  II  to  Combat  Gender-Based 
Violence (2015-2018), aiming to contribute to the eradication of GBV and the  effectiveness 
of the principle  of gender equality. The following activities are particularly  noteworthy:  the 
creation  of  call  centres  for  victims  on  all  islands,  the  implementation  of  a  national 
reintegration programme for GBV offenders and training and support in schools as well as the 
media, justice, health, police and military sectors.  

No statistical data is available as regards prostitution, but it is well-known that prostitution is 
relatively widespread and socially tolerated.   

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Convention  against  Torture  and  Other  Cruel,  Inhuman  or  Degrading 
Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 

The Constitution and law prohibit torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or 
punishment.  The  most  common  type  of  abuse  concerns  excessive  use  of  force  by  police. 
There are no reported cases on the use of torture. In most cases of abuse, the National Police 
Council has taken action against those responsible. The number of complaints has decreased 
during the reporting period. New staff regulations of prison security as well as a disciplinary 
statute  for  prison  security  entered  into  force  in  2014.  A  new  training  programme  for  prison 
guards started in August 2017. All new police recruits receive a 20-hour training on human 
rights.  

The  CNDHC  visits  all  prisons  on  an  annual  basis.  The  conditions  in  prisons  and  detention 
centres  in  general  meet  international  standards  but  in  the  main  prison  of  S.  Martins  (on 
Santiago  island)  conditions  are  below  standard,  mostly  due  to  overcrowding.  Separation  of 
prisoners  based  on  trial  status  has  not  always  been  possible  due  to  space  limitations.  The 
recent construction of a new prison on Sal island is expected to bring relief. 

The Cabo Verdean law provides a detainee with the right to prompt judicial determination of 
the  legality  of  the  detention  and  the  authorities  have  been  respecting  this  right.  Attorneys 
inform  detainees  of  the  charges  against  them  and  there  is  a  functional  bail  system. 
Nonetheless, the length of pre-trial detention is a problem.  

Significant  efforts  are  undertaken  to  improve  social  reintegration  and  re-education  of 
convicts. 

Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) 

Cabo  Verde  provides  wide  and  equal  opportunities  of  education  to  all  children  for  the  first 
eight  years  (ages  6  to  14)  through  a  free  and  universal  education  system.  The  healthcare 
system is well-developed and provides good basic health services for children. Maternal and 
child mortality rates have decreased dramatically, but pre-natal mortality remains a concern. 
The main difficulty concerns access to medical services for children from rural communities 
and more remote islands. The country is compliant with birth registration. 

The legal framework prohibits early or forced marriage. The legal minimum age of marriage 
is 18 years. Female genital mutilation is prohibited by law and no cases are known, although 
it is  suspected  that  some immigrants from  Western Africa  might take their children back  to 
their countries of origin to submit them to such pratices there. A targeted awareness-raising 
campaign for this community has been running since 2014.  

However,  violence  against  children  remains  a  problem  in  Cabo  Verde.  The  number  of 
complaints has been increasing in recent years, which is believed to reflect greater awareness 
and trust in the institutions and not necessarily an increase in absolute numbers.  

As regards sexual exploitation of children, the law prohibits and heavily punishes those that 
promote  or  facilitate  child  prostitution.  Several  cases  of  child  prostitution  have  occured.  A 
number of cases of nude pictures of adolescents circulating on the internet with or without the 
victims'  consent  have  been  reported  recently.  There  has  been  one  legal  case  of  sexual  child 
exploitation by a teacher, whose appeal against his suspension was rejected by the court. 

Sex tourism involving children is believed to have increased with the rising number of tourists 
and  is  addressed  by  a  'Zero  Tolerance'  campaign  and  a  new  National  Action  Plan  against 
Child  Abuse,  which  is  now  being  implemented.  New  awareness  and  public  outrage  against 
this  former  taboo  has  recently  emerged.  Sex  tourism  is  particularly  prevalent  on  the  main 
tourism  islands,  where  a  Code  of  Ethical  Conduct  has  recently  been  agreed  with  hotel 

5 

 
representatives.  However,  sex  tourism  involving  minors  is  also  described  as  'traditional 
behaviour'  of  at  least  one  of  the  emigrant  communities  during  their  annual  return  to  the 
country (island of Fogo).  

The CNDHC is working on a prevention programme for persons convicted of child abuse in 
order to prevent recidivism.  

The authorities recognise that improvements still have to be made with regard to the rights of 
the  child.  The  Government  is  trying  to  fight  abuse  and  violence  against  children  through 
several programmes, including the Children's Emergency Programme and Dial a Complaint, 
and by creating centres and integration programmes. The latter include initiatives to promote 
schooling for street children, whose numbers have been increasing due to rapid urbanisation. 
A national network was established to address this problem in a more comprehensive manner 
and  involves  the  Institute  of  the  Child  and  Adolescence  (ICCA),  police  forces,  the  attorney 
general  and  hospitals.  The  legal  framework  has  also  been  further  reinforced  and  improved, 
notably through the criminalisation of child prostitution and human trafficking. 

Regarding  detention  conditions,  juvenile  offenders  aged  between  12  and  15  are  sent  to  a 
special centre. The only special centre in the country (the Orlando Pantera Centre) is based in 
Praia and is funded by the EU in the framework of a project carried out by UNODC and the 
Ministry of Justice. Offenders aged between 16 and 21 are kept in regular prisons but are held 
separately from the adult prison population. 

Future actions and priorities 

Cabo  Verde  is  clearly  committed  to  continue  improving  the  respect  of  human  rights.  It  is 
paying special attention to the areas needing more progress, notably women's and children's 
rights, combating domestic violence, the situation of detainees, and the strengthening of the 
capacities  of  the  judicial  system.  These  priorities  correspond  with  the  priorities  and  actions 
outlined  by  the  EU  Human  Rights  and  Democracy  Country  Strategy.  In  particular,  Cabo 
Verde  will  continue  to  pursue  its  policy  for  non-discrimination  of  women  and  combating 
GBV through the implementation of the two major plans. 

Conclusions 

Cabo  Verde  stands  out  within  its  region  as  an  example  of  tolerance  and  respect  of  human 

rights  and  fundamental  freedoms.  Cabo  Verde  has  maintained  the  ratification  of  all  main 

international human rights conventions and ensures their implementation and enforcement in 

a  generally  effective  manner.  The  existence  of  an  independent  judiciary  system  guarantees 

access to justice, which however is often very slow. 

Concerns  remain  as  regards  the  rights  of  the  child  as  well  as  gender-based  violence  and 

discrimination, where strengthened and improved enforcement is required.  

Due to a substantial lack of human and administrative resources, reporting obligations under 

the  main  international  conventions  are  not  being  respected,  with  the  exception  of  CEDAW. 

The  new  interministerial  commission,  once  established,  should  make  a  considerable 

contribution to improve this situation.  

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However, the authorities are showing consistent commitment to respecting and implementing 

human  rights  and  addressing  shortcomings  by  setting  clear priorities,  establishing new  and 

improved national policies and by strengthening the legal framework and its implementation. 

2.2.  ILO Labour Rights Conventions (Conventions 8-15) 

Status of ratification and reporting 

Over  the  reporting  period,  Cabo  Verde  has  maintained  the  ratification  of  all  eight  ILO 
fundamental conventions relevant for GSP+. 

Cabo  Verde  faced  difficulties  in  fulfilling  its  reporting  obligations  to  the  ILO  and  in  the 
context of the GSP+ monitoring, but has made efforts to remedy this. An EU-funded project 
managed by the ILO is assisting the country with the drafting of due reports and encouraging 
the different ministries to put in place a more systematic way of reporting. The project focuses 
on the areas of forced labour, child labour, and equal remuneration between men and women. 
It also aims at improving compliance with the eight ILO fundamental conventions. Particular 
attention is given to inter-institutional coordination, capacity building and technical assistance 
for  fulfilling  reporting  obligations  and  facilitating  dialogue  between  stakeholders  (trade 
unions,  employers'  organisations  and  the  Government).  Six  reports  due  in  2017,  including 
those  overdue  from  2016,  were  to  be  submitted  to  the  ILO  by  end  of  2017.  At  the  time  of 
writing, all but one report (on Convention 138) had been submitted to the ILO. 

In  the  framework  of  the  EU-funded  ILO  project,  the  ILO  organised  a  workshop,  at  which 
participants made a series of recommendations aimed at improving the implementation of the 
ILO  Conventions  87  and  98.  These  recommendations  were  transmitted  to  the  Minister  of 
Justice and Labour. 

Status of implementation of the conventions 

Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining (Conventions 87 and 98) 

Following  the  requests  made  by  the  CEACR  in  2012  and  2014  and  with  the  intention  to 
facilitate job creation, the new Government, elected in 2016, quickly introduced a new Labour 
Code in October 2016. This particularly changed the conditions regarding the determination 
of the scope of minimum services to be provided during a strike and the conditions regarding 
civil  requisitioning  (back-to-work  orders)  during  a  strike.  The  latter  have  since  been  used 
twice, which led to complaints to the ILO by several trade unions. The CEACR has requested 
that Cabo Verde takes the necessary measures to restrict the use of civil requisitioning. The 
new Labour Code also stipulates the creation of a Tripartite Commission. The social partners 
are currently debating whether it should be formed on a permanent or ad-hoc basis. Due to the 
logistical difficulties to access some islands, in particular during a strike, the authorities seem 
to favour an ad-hoc formation.  

Regarding collective bargaining, the national legislation seems to be broadly in line with ILO 
Convention  98.  Nevertheless,  as  regards  its  implementation  in  practice,  the  CEACR 
repeatedly  expressed concerns  about  the low  number  of  existing  collective  agreements.  The 
ILO provided technical assistance on the negotiation of collective agreements in the hotel and 
banking  sectors.  Currently,  there  are  collective  bargaining  agreements  in  several  sectors: 
electricty  and  water  utility,  telecoms,  aviation  safety  authority  and  aviation.  Collective 
agreements in the large tourism sector as well as banking and taxi services are currently under 
preparation. A National Committee for the Promotion of Collective Bargaining exists, but has 

7 

 
so  far  not  been  very  effective  in  the  promotion  of  collective  agreements.  A  revision  of  the 
committee's functioning is underway. 

In  July  2017, the Government and the two main trade union federations (the Cabo Verdean 
Confederation  of  Free  Trade  Unions  (CCSL)  and  the  National  Union  of  Workers  of  Cabo 
Verde  (UNTC-CS))  signed  a  strategic  mid-  to  long-term  consultative  agreement  to  promote 
social peace, which also sets out an increase in the national minimum wage from EUR 108 to 
approximately  EUR  135  by  2020.  The  Government  is  also  trying  to  promote  greater  job 
stability in sectors, which so far are dominated by short-term employment (for instance in the 
tourism sector). 

Abolition of Forced Labour (Conventions 29 and 105) 

Cabo Verde's national legislation is broadly in line with the ILO fundamental conventions on 
forced  labour.  However,  there  are  shortcomings  in  the  application.  Following  repeated 
requests by the CEACR in 2011 and 2015, a revision was made to the Penal Code in 2015, 
which criminalises trafficking in persons. Since then, a small number of allegations of human 
trafficking  have  been  received  and  pursued  by  the  authorities,  but  no  charges  were  brought 
due to lack of evidence.  

Minimum Age for Work and Worst Forms of Child Labour (Conventions 138 
and 182) 

According to a 2013 ILO-IPEC1 study, the incidence of child labour in Cabo Verde was 7.1%. 
The national legislation seems to be partly in line with ILO Conventions. The Labour Code 
sets the minimum age for admission to work at 15 years and the minimum age for hazardous 
work at 18 years. Child labour is a problem in the agricultural sector, where work carried out 
by children is often not perceived as child labour. Therefore, awareness-raising is all the more 
needed.  

Following the CEACR requests in 2011 and 2015, the Penal Code was reformed in 2015 to 
include the criminalisation of prostitution of minors aged 14-18 years with prison terms of 2 
to  8  years,  bringing  the  legislation  in  line  with  the  ILO  Convention  182.  Article  145  deals 
with  children  under  14.  Penalties  are  envisaged  for  those  who  engage  children  in  illicit 
activities, such as the production and trafficking of drugs. The Cabo Verdean Institute for the 
Child and Adolescents (ICCA) has started to tackle the issue of sex tourism and is searching 
for partner organisations to implement a prevention plan. In addition, ICCA flagged the need 
for  a  study  to  establish  the  scale  of  sex  tourism.  A  National  Plan  to  Fight  Sexual  Violence 
Against Children and Adolescents (2017-2019) was adopted in December 2016. 

In  2014,  Cabo  Verde  published  a  National  Plan  against  Child  Labour,  which  focuses  on 
communication,  awareness,  prevention,  protection,  rehabilitation,  partnerships,  international 
cooperation, legislative reform and oversight and inspection. The Labour Code does not apply 
to children under the age of 18 who are engaged in hazardous work outside the employment 
relationship.  The 
in  2016  (by 
Law No.113 /Viii /2016)  in  compliance  with  ILO  Convention  182.  It  has  helped  national 
authorities  to  strengthen  and  protect  children's  rights,  supervise  child  labour  and  fulfil  the 
requirements  under  both  ILO  child  labour  conventions.  The  ILO  is  helping  to  raise  further 
awareness  of  the  list  of  hazardous  work.  In  addition,  the  aforementioned  law  foresees  the 
compiling and monitoring of statistical data on child labor with indications disaggregated by 

types  of  hazardous  work  was  approved 

list  of 

1 IPEC: International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour 

8 

 
                                                 
sex,  age  group,  occupation,  sector  economic  activity,  employment  status  and  geographical 
location. 

As regards implementation in practice, the CEACR noted the efforts made so far to reduce the 
number  of  street  children,  including  through  the  implementation  of  a  project  aiming  to 
reintegrate children into their families and into the education system. It also took note of the 
information about the operation of emergency centres and reception centres for children. 

There is a need to align the national legislation with ILO Convention 138 on minimum age for 
work.  Minimum  age  provisions  do  not  apply  to  children  working  outside  an  employment 
relationship,  meaning  those  self-employed  or  working  in  the  informal  economy.  Moreover, 
the Labour Code does not set a minimum age for performing light work activities (set at 13 in 
ILO Convention 138). The National Plan against Child Labour outlined concrete steps to be 
taken  in  order  to  align  the  national  legislation  with  the  ILO  Conventions  138  and  182,  but 
some implementation gaps remain, in spite of the progress achieved so far.  

Elimination of Discrimination (Conventions 100 and 111) 

The principle of equal remuneration for equal work for men and women is guaranteed in the 
Constitution.  While  the  authorities  report  that  the  principle  is  also  confirmed  in  the  Labour 
Code, the CEACR recalled its request to amend the existing legislation to give full expression 
to  the  principle  of  equal  remuneration  for  men  and  women  for  work  of  equal  value.  The 
CEACR reiterated that the provisions in the Constitution and the Labour Code are insufficient 
to  ensure  the  full  application  of  the  principle  of  the  ILO  Conventions,  as  they  do  not 
encompass  the  concept  of  'equal  value'  and  may  therefore  hinder  progress  in  eliminating 
gender-based pay discrimination. The authorities do not consider taking immediate legislative 
actions in this matter. However, in August 2017, the ICIEG created a technical working group 
to  identify  gaps  in  legislation  concerning  gender  equality  in  employment.  The  ILO  is 
participating in this working group. 

In 2013, the CEACR noted the intention of Cabo Verde to adopt specific legislation for rural 
workers  and  labour-intensive  activities,  as  these  are  not  explicitly  covered  by  the  Labour 
Code. Further information was also requested on how the non-discrimination of workers of a 
different  national  origin  is  ensured  and  whether  and  how  workers  are  protected  against 
indirect discrimination. Cabo Verde was further requested to take steps to ensure that workers 
are protected against sexual harassment at the workplace. Although sexual harassment in the 
workplace  is  a  crime  punished  by  the  law  on  gender  based  violence,  further  actions  in  this 
regard would be required to ensure such protection in practice.  

In  order  to  improve  the  situation  of  discriminated  of  more  vulnerable  groups  on  the  labour 
market, such as women, young people or people with disabilities, the authorities have taken 
several  measures,  such  as  support  for  establishing  enterprises  and  awareness-raising 
campaigns, including for social partners. 

The CEACR noted that there was no comprehensive statistical labour market data available in 
the country and recommended provisions for training of labour inspectors on the principles of 
the ILO conventions. The Government has requested ILO technical assistance in this respect. 
The  National  Institute  of  Statistics  reported  on  a  number  of  labour  market  indicators  and 
requested to receive a complete list of the indicators required by the ILO.  

Future actions and priorities 

Cabo Verde is committed to promote social dialogue and collective bargaining and to sustain 
the  efforts  to  prevent  and  eliminate  child  labour,  notably  through  the  implementation  of  its 

9 

 
National Plan against Child Labour. Cabo Verde will also continue its efforts in maintaining 
its  reporting  obligation  to  the  ILO  with  the  support  of  the  EU-funded  technical  assistance 
project that is managed by the ILO. 

Conclusions 

Cabo  Verde  has  taken  some  steps  to  ensure  the  legislative  alignment  with  the  fundamental 

ILO Conventions. However, further efforts are needed to ensure full compliance.  

Labour  legislation  should  be  aligned  with  the  outstanding  comments  by  the  CEACR  and 

proper  functioning  of  the  tripartite  commission  should  be  ensured.  Notwithstanding  some 

progress, further efforts should also be pursued to promote collective bargaining. There has 

been some progress made in addressing child labour. Further efforts are needed for effective 

implementation of the existing legal framework regarding non-discrimination and to address 

the remaining gaps with the ILO Conventions on elimination of discrimination. 

Regarding  implementation,  there  are  shortcomings  which  are  partly  related  to  insufficient 

administrative  capacity  (lack  of  human  and  financial  resources).  Cabo  Verde's  cooperation 

with the ILO to address these shortcomings is welcome. The ILO, with EU financial support, 

is  currently  implementing  a  technical  assistance  programme  aimed  at  increasing  Cabo 

Verde's reporting capacities on labour issues. 

During and following the ongoing EU-funded ILO project, it will be crucial to ensure that a 

sustainable and reliable arrangement is put in place to comply with reporting obligations in 

the future. 

2.3.  UN Conventions on Environmental Protection and Climate 

Change (Conventions 16-23) 

Status of ratification and reporting 

Cabo  Verde  is  party  to  all  GSP+  relevant  conventions  on  environmental  protection  and 
climate change. 

However,  Cabo  Verde  is  not  compliant  with  all  of  its  reporting  obligations.  On  CITES, 
biennial  reports  are  due  for  2003-2004,  2005-2006,  2007-2008,  2009-2010,  and  2011-2012. 
The  3rd  National  Report  on  the  Cartagena  Protocol  is  due  too.  Cabo  Verde  is  also  having 
difficulties  meeting  its  reporting  obligations  under  the  Basel  Convention.  Updates  to  the 
National Implementation Plan (NIP) under the Stockholm Convention are overdue as well. 

However,  Cabo  Verde  is  compliant  with  its  reporting  obligations  under  the  three  UN 
conventions on climate change as well as the Montreal Protocol. The 5th National Report on 
the Convention on Biological Diversity was submitted in 2015. 

10 

 
 
Status of implementation of the conventions 

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and 
Fauna (CITES) 

Cabo Verde's national legislation is ranked as category 32 under the Convention, as it does not 
meet the requirements for implementation. Cabo Verde is currently preparing new legislation 
to  implement  CITES  and  to  prepare  an  inventory  of  species  (for  example  turtles,  sharks, 
birds).  The  new  legislation  would  also  foresee  the  nomination  of  scientific  and  supervisory 
agencies.  
The CITES Secretariat reported in November 20153 that Cabo Verde had failed to submit its 
annual  reports  for  three  consecutive  years  and,  pursuant  to  CITES  Resolution  Conf.  11.17 
(Rev.  CoP16),  invited  the  CITES  Standing  Committee  to  consider  the  adoption  of  a 
recommendation for the suspension of all trade in CITES products from and to Cabo Verde at 
its 66th meeting in January 2016. Such a suspension is the most severe compliance measure 
under CITES. Following this, Cabo Verde submitted all annual reports that were (over)due. 
However, the biennual reports are still missing. 

Basel Convention 

Cabo Verde is not compliant with its reporting obligations under the Basel Convention on the 
Control of Trans-boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal as the 2015 
annual report has  not been  submitted. Legislation is in  place  but does not  cover all residual 
hazardous waste. New legislation has been prepared and revised by the Secretariat, but needs 
further work. A new voluntary implementation plan is now being implemented. 

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) 

Cabo Verde received technical assistance in capacity-building to improve its compliance with 
the  reporting  obligations.  The  5th  National  Implementation  Report  (NIP)  was  submitted  in 
2015,  the  6th  NIP  is  due  in  2018. Cabo  Verde  has  not  yet  ratified  the  Nagoya  Protocol,  but 
recognises its importance and is preparing for ratification. A National Strategic Biodiversity 
Plan 2014-2030 is in place.  

There were no salient shortcomings identified in Cabo Verde as regards the implementation of 
the  Convention  on  Biological  Diversity,  although  biodiversity  loss  has  not  been  halted  and 
concrete  measures  to  implement  the  Convention  should  be strengthened.  Current  efforts  are 
focussing  on  sharks,  turtles  and  birds.  Cabo  Verde  has  a  revised  National  Biodiversity 
Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) in place since 2014. 

Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants 

Cabo Verde ratified the convention in 2006 and submitted the National Implementation Plan 
(NIP), which was due in 2008, in 2013. The Government has recognised that this NIP has not 
been  fully  implemented.  In  addition,  Cabo  Verde  has  not  submitted  any  of  the  three 
subsequently required updates of the NIP. Cabo Verde stated that the revision of the NIP is 
currently on-going. 

2 Category 3: legislation that is believed generally not to meet the requirements for the implementation   of CITES. Source: 
https://cites.org/eng/legislation/National_Legislation_Project 

3 https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/com/sc/66/E-SC66-30-01.pdf 

11 

 
                                                 
 
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety 

Cabo  Verde  is  currently  preparing  its  3rd  National  Report,  which  was  due  in  2015  and  
expected to be finalised by December 2017 at the time of writing.  

Since  2011,  drafts  of  a  biosafety  law  and  a  National  Biosafety  Framework  are  awaiting 
finalisation.  The  draft  National  Biosafety  Framework  also  proposes  a  risk  assessment 
mechanism for living modified organisms (LMOs). 

Conventions on Climate Change 

Cabo  Verde  has  maintained  the  ratification  of  the  Montreal  Protocol  on  Substances  that 
Deplete  the  Ozone  Layer.  It  ratified  the  UN  Framework  Convention  on  Climate  Change 
(UNFCCC)  in  1995,  and  the  Kyoto  Protocol  to  the  UNFCCC  in  2006,  and  maintains 
ratification  of  both.  It  has  also  ratified  the  Paris  Agreement  on  21  September  2017.  At  the 
time of writing, the entry into force was expected on 20 December 2017. 

The  consumption  of  HCFC-22  has  been  fairly  stable  in  Cabo  Verde  since  2009.  An  import 
licensing and quota system is operational and will enable consumption reductions in line with 
the  Montreal  Protocol's  phase-out  schedule.  Cabo  Verde  is  considering  integrating 
hydrochlorofluorocarbon  (HCFC)  issues  into  the  training  curricula  for  national  customs 
officers  by  strengthening  collaboration  with  the  refrigeration  vocational  training  school  and 
large servicing workshops. This will enable continuous training of technicians and control of 
ozone-depleting  substances,  which  will  ensure  the  long-term  sustainability  of  the  activities 
under its HCFC phase-out management plan.  
As for reporting, Cabo Verde is preparing its 3rd National Communication and expected at the 
time  of  writing  to  submit  it  by  December  2017.  On  30  September  2015,  Cabo  Verde 
submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC), which contains targets of 
30%  renewables,  10%  energy  savings  (conditional  100%  renewables,  20%  energy  savings) 
for  the  period  2015-2025.  Cabo  Verde  is  currently  updating  its  INDC.  Installed  capacity  of 
renewables currently represents 25%. 

Climate change is also addressed by the country's Second National Environment Programme 
of  Action  (PANA  II)  for  the  2004-2014  period,  which  aims  to  provide  an  overall  strategic 
guidance  for  a  balanced  use  of  natural  resources  and  sustainable  management  of  economic 
activities. Revised in 2012, PANA II is technically still in force. 

Conclusions 

Cabo Verde fails to comply with its reporting obligations under CITES, the Basel Convention, 

the  Stockholm  Convention  and  the  Cartagena  Protocol.  Cabo  Verde  needs  to  adopt 

legislation for the implementation of CITES. Concrete measures to implement the Biological 

Diversity Convention should be strengthened. Cabo Verde also needs to update the national 

implementation plan (NIP) for the Stockholm Convention. Regarding the Cartagena Protocol, 

the focus should  be on  enacting  and implementing  the draft biosafety framework which has 

been pending for many years now. 

12 

 
 
 
2.4.  UN Conventions on Good Governance (Conventions 24-27) 

Status of ratification and reporting 

Cabo  Verde  has  maintained  the  ratification  of  both  the  UN  Convention  on  Narcotics  Drugs 
and the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances. It also maintained the ratification of the 
UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.  

According to the 2014 INCB report on precursors and chemicals frequently used in the illicit 
manufacturing  of  narcotic  drugs  and  psychotropic  substances,  Cabo  Verde  is  not  compliant 
with the obligation to submit information pursuant to Article 12 of the 1988 convention for 
the years 2009-2013. 

Cabo Verde has maintained the ratification of the UN Convention against Corruption. 

Status of implementation of the conventions 

UN Conventions Fighting Illegal Drugs 

Cabo Verde's strategic location in the Atlantic Ocean and its extensive, mostly unmonitored 
territorial  waters  and  borders  make  it  an  important  transit  hub  for  South  American  cocaine 
moving to Europe. Consumption of illegal drugs is increasing in Cabo Verde. Cannabis and 
cocaine (crack) are the most commonly used drugs and often linked to urban crime.  

In 2012, Cabo Verde adopted a National Integrated Programme in the fight against drugs and 
crime, for the period 2012-2016. The National Integrated Programme was developed with the 
UN  Office  on  Drugs  and  Crime  (UNODC)  and  focused  on  four  areas:  prevention  and 
research; improvement of the health, treatment and reintegration of drug addicts; combating 
illicit  trafficking,  organised  crime  and  terrorism;  and  justice  and  integrity.  Cabo  Verde  has 
requested  UNODC  to  assist  with  the  revision  of  its  drug  legislation  and  has  drafted  a  new 
drug  law,  which  inter  alia  shifts  the  focus  from  criminalising  drug  users  to  a  more  health-
oriented approach. A new Government commission for the coordination of drug prevention is 
being set up.  

Since 2012, Cabo Verde is using the  PEN Online System, which allows competent national 
authorities to inform each other about international trade of precursor chemicals. This helps to 
confirm the legitimacy of a given trade and limits diversion. 

While  urban  crime  remains  a  problem,  earlier  high-visibility  attacks  by  organised  or  drug-
related criminals on relatives of public representatives have not continued, thanks to effective 
action by the police and judiciary.  

Cabo Verde is making substantial efforts to disrupt drug trafficking in its maritime zone and 
has  a  good  record  of  drug  seizures  in  the  region.  However,  Cabo  Verde  does  not  have  the 
capacities  and  means  to  effectively  patrol  its  Exclusive  Economic  Zone  (EEZ)  of  nearly 
800,000 sq km in an area prone to the presence of drug traffickers and illegal fishing vessels. 
Among  other  things,  Cabo  Verde  lacks  manpower  and  equipment,  including  ships  and  air 
assets. Cabo Verde is thefore very reliant on its cooperation with other international partners, 
including  Portugal,  Spain,  the  UK  and  the  US,  to  strengthen  its  capacity  to  monitor  the 
country's  international  waters  and  combat  drug  trafficking.  The  Spanish  Marine  Corps  have 
trained members of the Special Operations Unit of the Cabo Verdean National Guard. Brazil 
established  a  Naval  Mission  in  Cabo  Verde  in  November  2013  and  has  since  been  helping 
Cabo Verde modernise the Cabo Verdean Coast Guard. 

13 

 
UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) 

Implementation  Review  Group 

Cabo Verde was reviewed in 2016 and 2017. According to UNODC, the country has no major 
compliance  problems.  The 
issued  a  number  of 
recommendations  to  further  strengthen  existing  anti-corruption  measures,  including  a 
recommendation to adopt a national strategy to ensure that the various anti-corruption policies 
are effective and coordinated.  Cabo Verde  does not  yet have  a single and independent anti-
corruption  authority.  Its  Financial  Intelligence  Unit  (UIF)  has  been  supported  by  an  EU 
project and became a member of the Egmont Group in February 2017. A national Office for 
Asset Recovery has recently been established.  

A new Public Procurement Code of Conduct was adopted in 2015 and a special commission 
was  set  up  that  receives  complaints.  A  risk  assessment  has  been  carried  out  recently. 
Awareness-raising  actions  are  being  undertaken  by  the  UIF.  Legislation  against  money 
laundering is in place, which now covers Politically Exposed Persons and active and passive 
corruption  by  foreign  nationals.  All  commerical  banks  in  the  country  are  participating  in  a 
system of obligatory declaration of suspicious financial movements. Amounts of USD 10,000 
or  more  must  be  declared upon entry. Cabo Verde  is  finalising a National Risk Assessment 
regarding  money  laundering  and  financing  of  terrorism.  The  country  also  expects  to  further 
strengthen resiliance through its new central recruiting system for the public administration. 

Cabo  Verde  was  ranked  number  38  out  of  176  countries  in  the  2016  Transparency 
International Corruption Perception Index, with a perceived level of public sector corruption 
score  of  59  out  of  100  (whereby  zero  means  'highly  corrupt').  This  marks  an  improvement 
compared to scores in 2015 (55) and 2014 (57). 

Conclusions 

Cabo  Verde  is  an  important  transit  hub  for  South  American  cocaine  smuggling  to  Europe. 

Consumption of illegal drugs is increasing in Cabo Verde. Its location in the Atlantic Ocean 

and lack of resources and means make it difficult to control its extensive, mostly unmonitored 

territorial  waters  and  borders.  Cooperation  with  international  partners  is  essential  to 

strengthen  the  capacity  of  Cabo  Verde  to  combat  illicit  trafficking  of  drugs,  particularly  at 

sea. Cabo Verde has, however, adopted a National Integrated Programme, and should focus 

on  ensuring  full  implementation  of  the  plan.  It  is  undertaking  significant  efforts  to  combat 

money  laundering  and  drug  trafficking  and  is  cooperating  with  international  and  regional 

partners in this area, including in the Gulf of Guinea. Cabo Verde has been benefitting from 

assistance  and  cooperation  programmes  supported  by  UNODC,  the  EU  and  other 

international  partners.  It  will  be  hosting  Zone  G  of  the  ECOWAS  Integrated  Maritime 

Strategy  (EIMS).  Cabo  Verde  is  performing  well  with  regards  to  its  compliance  to  the  UN 

Convention against Corruption and should sustain its efforts to maintain this. 

14 

 
 
 
3. Trade and Economy 

3.1.  Trade Picture 

Cabo  Verde  is  a  small  country  among  the  African,  Caribbean  and  Pacific  states  (ACP),  but 
also a rapidly transforming island economy. The EU is its main trading partner, representing 
97% of total exports in 2016 and 75% of imports.  

The majority of Cabo Verde’s export products to the EU are fishery products, but the country 
is  also  very  interested  in  trade  in  services,  as  illustrated  by  their  impressive  commitments 
upon joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in July 2008.  

Negotiations on the regional European Partnership Agreement (EPA) with West Africa were 
closed at Chief Negotiator level on 6 February 2014. The EPA was initialled on 30 June 2014 
and definitively endorsed by the ECOWAS Heads of State on 10 July 2014 at their summit in 
Accra. Once all signatures from the parties are gathered, the ratification process will start. 

3.2.  GSP+ Statistics 

Figure  1  to  Figure  3  below  describe  Cabo  Verde's  utilisation  of  GSP+  in  the  context  of  its 
overall imports to the EU. More than 90% of total Cabo Verdean exports to the EU benefit 
from the preferential GSP+ duties. However, the figures show room for improvement when it 
comes to diversification; about 85% of Cabo Verde's preferential GSP+ exports to the EU are 
fishery products, followed by textiles and clothing (9%) and footwear (5%). 

Source for all statistics: Eurostat data as of September 2017. 

Figure 1 

Cabo Verde - Imports to the EU, 2014-2017 

Figures in thousand EUR 

2014 

2015 

2016 

Total imports to EU 
GSP+ eligible imports 
GSP+ preferential imports 
GSP+ utilisation rate 

96,849 
55,897 
54,716 
97.9% 

63,283 
53,279 
51,519 
96.7% 

70,595 
68,077 
65,690 
96.5% 

2017 
(Q1-2) 

26,496 
17,749 
11,623 
65.5% 

Trend 
2014-
2016 
-27.1% 
21.8% 
20.1% 
-1.4% 

15 

 
  
  
  
  
 
Cabo Verde - Imports to the EU, 2014-2016 

96,849 

GSP+ preferential imports

GSP+ eligible imports
which do not use GSP+
preferences

Other preferential and
non-preferential imports

56.50% 

63,283 

70,595 

1.22% 

42.28% 

2014

81.41% 

93.05% 

2.78% 
15.81% 

2015

3.38% 
3.57% 
2016

Figure 2 

100.000

90.000

80.000

70.000

60.000

50.000

40.000

30.000

20.000

10.000

0

)
R
U
E
d
n
a
s
u
o
h
t
(

U
E
e
h
t
o
t

s
t
r
o
p
m

I

Figure 3 

Cabo Verde -  
Product Diversification of GSP+ Preferential Imports, 2016 

5% 

4%  0% 

5% 

38% 

Preparations of meat, fish,
seafood

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs
and other aquatic invertebrates

48% 

Articles of apparel and clothing
accessories, not knitted or
crocheted
Footwear, gaiters and the like;
parts of such articles

Articles of apparel and clothing
accessories, knitted or
crocheted
All other sections

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ANNEX 

Cabo Verde – Treaty Ratification and Reporting  

Convention 

Status of ratification / 
reservations4 

Compliance with reporting obligations to 
monitoring bodies 

1. Convention on the 
Prevention and Punishment 
of the Crime of Genocide 

2. International Convention 
on the Elimination of All 
Forms of Racial 
Discrimination 

3. International Covenant 
on Civil and Political Rights 

4. International Covenant 
on Economic, Social and 
Cultural Rights 

5. Convention on the 
Elimination of All Forms of 
Discrimination against 
Women 

6. Convention against 
Torture and Other Cruel, 
Inhuman or Degrading 
Treatment or Punishment 

7. Convention on the Rights 
of the Child 

8. Convention concerning 
Forced or Compulsory 
Labour, No. 29 

9. Convention concerning 
Freedom of Association and 
Protection of the Right to 
Organise, No. 87 

10. Convention concerning 
the Application of the 
Principles of the Right to 
Organise and to Bargain 
Collectively, No. 98 

Ongoing 

No reporting obligations 

Ratified: 03.10.1979 

Lack of compliance with reporting obligations 

No reservations 

Last report submitted on 05.08.2002. 

Latest report was due on 02.11.2006. 

Ratified: 06.08.1993 

Lack of compliance with reporting obligations 

No reservations 

Initial report and subsequent reports not submitted. 

Ratified: 06.08.1993 

Lack of compliance with reporting obligations 

No reservations 

Initial report was not submitted. 

Ratified: 05.12.1980 

Lack of compliance with reporting obligations  

No reservations 

Last report was due on 01.07.2017.  

Ratified: 04.06.1992 

Lack of compliance with reporting obligations 

No reservations 

Initial report and subsequent reports not submitted. 

Ratified: 04.06.1992 

Lack of compliance with reporting obligations 

No reservations 

Latest report was due on 03.07.1999. 

Ratification: 1979 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

Latest report submitted out of sequence: report due in 
2014 submitted in 2015. 

Latest CEACR (ILO Committee of Experts on the 
Application of Contentions and Recommendations) 
comments: Direct Request 2015. 

Ratification: 1999 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

Latest CEACR comments: Direct Request 2016. 

Ratification: 1979 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

Latest CEACR comments: Direct Request 2016. 

4 Reservations do not apply in the ILO system, so there is no relevance to providing information on reservations under each 
of these conventions. 

17 

 
 
 
                                                 
11. Convention concerning 
Equal Remuneration of Men 
and Women Workers for 
Work of Equal Value, No. 
100 

12. Convention concerning 
the Abolition of Forced 
Labour, No. 105 

13. Convention concerning 
Discrimination in Respect 
of Employment and 
Occupation, No. 111 

14. Convention concerning 
Minimum Age for 
Admission to Employment, 
No. 138 

15. Convention concerning 
Minimum Age for 
Admission to Employment, 
No. 182 

Ratification: 1979 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

Latest CEACR comments: Observation 2016; Direct 
Request 2016. 

Ratification: 1979 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

Latest report submitted out of sequence: report due in 
2014 submitted in 2015.  

Ratification: 1979 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

Latest CEACR comments: Direct Request 2016. 

Ratification: 2011  

Lack of compliance with reporting obligations 

Minimum age specified: 15 
years  

Latest CEACR comments: Direct Request 2015. 

Ratification: 2001 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

Latest CEACR comments: Direct Request 2015. 

16. CITES 

Accession: 10.08.2005 

Lack of compliance with reporting obligations 

Annual Reports for 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 
2016 have been submitted. 

Biennial Reports due for 2003-04, 2005-06, 2007-08, 
2009-10, 2011-12, 2013-14, and 2015-16. 

17. Montreal Protocol 

Accession: 31.07.2001 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

No reservations 

Most recent data for 2016 was submitted. 

18. Basel Convention 

Accession: 02.07.1999  

Lack of compliance with reporting obligations 

19. Convention on 
Biological Diversity 

No reservations 

Last report submitted on 31.12.2015 (2014 National 
Report).  

Ratification: 29.03.1995 

Compliant with reporting obligations  

No reservations 

Fifth National Report due in 2014 was submitted on 
25.11.2015. 

Revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action 
Plan (NBSAP) submitted on 19.08.2016. 

The Sixth National Report is due on 31.12.2018. 

20. UN Framework 
Convention on Climate 
Change 

Ratification: 29.03.1995 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

No reservations 

First National Communication submitted on 
13.11.2000. 

Second National Communication submitted on 
21.10.2011. 

21. Cartagena Protocol on 
Biosafety 

Ratification: 01.11.2005 

Lack of compliance with reporting obligations 

No reservations 

Latest report submitted on 28.09.2011 (Second 
National Report). Third National Report was due on 
01.11.2015. 

Interim National Report (2005) and First National 
Report (2007) are also overdue.  

18 

 
 
22. Stockholm Convention 

Accession: 01.03.2006 

Lack of compliance with reporting obligations 

No reservations 

No reports submitted. 

First Round (2006), Second Round (2010), and Third 
Round (2014) National Reports due. 

23. Kyoto Protocol 

Accession: 10.02.2006 

No reporting obligations 

24. UN Single Convention 
on Narcotic Drugs 

25. UN Convention on 
Psychotropic Substances 

26. UN Convention against 
Illicit Traffic in Narcotic 
Drugs and Psychotropic 
Substances 

No reservations 

Accession: 24.05.1990 

No reservations 

Accession: 24.05.1990 

No reservations 

Accession: 08.05.1993 

No reservations 

Reviewing is fulfilled by the International Narcotics 
Control Board (INCB). 

27. UN Convention against 
Corruption 

Ratification: 23.04.2008 

No reservations 

Reviewing is fulfilled by the UN Office on Drugs 
and Crime (UNODC). Cabo Verde was reviewed in 
2016 – 2017. The executive summary is available.  

19