JOINT STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT The EU Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance ('GSP+') assessment of Cabo Verde covering the period 2018 - 2019 Accompanying the document Joint Report to the European Parliament and the Council Report on the Generalised Scheme of Preferences covering the period 2018 - 2019
Date: 2020-02-10
Institutions: Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security, European Commission
Subjects: Cabo Verde, EU market, common commercial policy, development aid, generalised preferences, human rights, international convention, sustainable development, tariff preference

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION HIGH REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNION FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SECURITY POLICY Brussels, 10.2.2020  SWD(2020) 18 final  JOINT STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT  The EU Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance ('GSP+') assessment of Cabo Verde covering the period 2018 - 2019 Accompanying the document Joint Report to the European Parliament and the Council Report on the Generalised Scheme of Preferences covering the period 2018 - 2019 {JOIN(2020) 3 final} - {SWD(2020) 16 final} - {SWD(2020) 17 final} - {SWD(2020) 19 final} - {SWD(2020) 20 final} - {SWD(2020) 21 final} - {SWD(2020) 22 final} - {SWD(2020) 23 final} - {SWD(2020) 24 final} - {SWD(2020) 25 final}  
 
 
Cabo Verde  

1. Summary Assessment 

The country maintains a strong record in the implementation of its international commitments 
covered by GSP+ arrangement of EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences. Solid democratic 
institutions  have  made  Cabo  Verde  a  positive  example  in  the  region  for  civil,  political, 
economic, social  and cultural  rights.  The country also  ranks high in  terms  of tolerance with 
regard to LGBTQI issues. The country has strong labour laws, though theoccurrence ofchild 
labour,(especially in hazardous forms, remains a concern. Another priority area under labour 
issues is the establishment of a Tripartite Commission, whose configuration is currently under 
discussion. Implementation of the environmental and drugs conventions remains a challenge, 
not  least  due to  the limited capacity   of its public administration and  geographical  location, 
which makes it a natural hub in international drug trafficking routes. The limited staffing and 
technical  capacity of the country’s public administration also  hinders its reporting  efforts to 
the United Nations (UN) and International Labour Organization (ILO) reporting bodies. 

Priorities 

During the reporting period 2018-2019, monitoring focused on several priority areas: sexual 
and  gender-based  violence;  rights  of  the  child,  sexual  exploitation,  and  sex  trafficking  of 
minors; prison conditions; child labour; freedom of association and the right to organize; and 
illicit traffic in narcotic drugs.  

Human Rights 

Cabo Verde has a good record on the implementation of the core human rigths conventions. 
The  country’s  main  challenges  are  related  to  its  limited  administrative  capacity,  leading  to 
delays in  reporting  under international  Conventions. While significant  initiatives and efforts 
have been made during the reporting period, further actions are required to ensure full respect 
for  and  observance  of  the  human  rights  of  women,  children  and  detainees,  and  prevention, 
protection, and prosecution of all forms of violence and discrimination against women.  

Sexual  and gender based violence remain a  concern. National  authorities have carried out  a 
number  of  outreach  and  awareness  raising  activities,  as  well  as  creating  support  and 
protection  measures  for  survivors.  Authorities  recognise  that  improvements  still  have  to  be 
made  with  regard  to  the  rights  of  the  child,  especially  on  sexual  exploitation  and  sex 
trafficking.  The  Government  is  trying  to  prevent  and  fight  all  forms  of  abuse  and  violence 
against  children  through  several  programmes,  as  well  as  a  National  Plan  Against  Sexual 
Abuse of Minors, with a wide array of measures over the reporting period. 

Labour Rights 

A  positive  development  has  been  the  amended  legislation  to  criminalise  the  use  and 
facilitation of minors under 18 years for purpose of prostitution and sexual exploitation and to 
hold offenders accountable. It will be important to ensure that these new provisions are duly 
implemented  in  practice  and  offenders  duly  prosecuted,  tried,  and  punished  by  means  of 
effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions.  

Nonetheless, there are still some outstanding challenges with regard to the minimum age for 
work,  in  particular  hazardous  work.  Cabo  Verde  needs  to  ensure  that  no  children  under  18 

1 

 
 
 
years of age, other than in the exceptional cases allowed by the international Conventions on 
child  labour,  shall  be  authorised  to  engage  in  hazardous  work.  In  addition,  the  list  of 
hazardous occupations should be revised regularly. 

The creation of a Tripartite Commission on labour issues is ongoing. The social partners have 
been  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,  while international  standards preference is  with  a permanent 
arrangement. 

Environment 

Cabo  Verde  faces  challenges  in  adopting  legislation  for  the  implementation  of  several 
environmental  and  climate  change  agreements  and  conventions  and  the  related  reporting. 
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. 

Good Governance 

In  October  2018,  Cabo  Verde  adopted  a  new  National  Integrated  Programme  (NIP)  (2018-
2023) for the  fight  against  the use of drugs  and  drug  related crimes. Cabo Verde is  making 
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.  

The  Inter-Governmental  Action  Group  against  Money  Laundering  (GIABA)  identified 
important  shortcomings  both  in  the  legal  framework  and  in  the  effectiveness  of  the  anti 
money  landering  and  terrorist  financing    regime  in  Cabo  Verde.  With  regard  to  the  money 
laundering and also terrorrist financing (TF) risk, the relevant supervisors are yet to have the 
necessary mechanisms to develop activities in order to combat these on a risk-sensitive basis. 

Status of ratification and reporting 

Cabo Verde has maintained the ratification of all GSP+ related conventions. Since 2017, the 
country  has  made  significant  efforts  to  improve  reporting,  despite  the  country's  relatively 
small public administration and insufficient administrative resources. It is currently compliant 
with all human and labour rights reporting.  

However,  Cabo  Verde  has  several  outstanding  reports  under  environmental  protection 
conventions,  including  CITES,  the  Cartagena  Protocol,  the  Basel  Convention,  and  the 
Stockholm  Convention.  Under  the  UN  Convention  against  Illicit  Traffic  in  Narcotic  Drugs 
and  Psychotropic  Substances,  Cabo  Verde  is  not  compliant  with  the  obligation  to  submit 
information for the years 2009-2013. 

The  EU,  UN,  and  ILO  have  been  providing  technical  and  financial  support  to  the  Cabo 
Verdean authorities to increase its reporting capacity. In June 2017, the Government set up a 
permanent  interministerial  commission  composed  of  representatives  of  six  different 
ministries,  with  the  goal  to  significantly  improve  the  country's  reporting  capacity  on  the 
human rights conventions. The conventions on environmental protection, labour rights, drugs 
and corruption, however, are not dealt with by this commission.  

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2. Recent Developments 

Cabo  Verde  is  the  third  smallest  in  Africa  in  terms  of  population,  with  fewer  than  500,000 
inhabitants.  It  is  also  a  young  country  –  both  with  regard  to  its  status  as  an  independent 
country,  having  obtained  independence  from  Portugal  in  1975,  as  well  as  its  median 
population  age  (25.8  years). Since the country first  held  multiparty  elections in  1991, it has 
established itself as one of the most politically stable countries in Africa; as of 2018, it ranked 
26th in the world and second in the region in the Democracy Index.   

Despite  the  challenges  that  face  a  small,  geographically  isolated  developing  country,  Cabo 
Verde’s progress and development in recent  years is good. The country generally 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 second in the Index's subcategory Participation & 
Human  Rights.  To  date,  the  country  is  one  of  only  five  to  have  graduated  out  of  Least 
Developed Country (LDC) status, leaving the group in 2007.  

The  country  faces  serious  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. 

EU- Cabo Verde International Cooperation and Development 

Relations between the European Union and Cabo Verde are framed by a Special 
Partnership  since  2007.  This  partnership  is  based  on  six  pillars:  (1)  good 
governance; (2) security and stability, including increased cooperation in fighting 
illegal  migration,  drug-trafficking  and  organised  crime;  (3)  regional  integration; 
(4)  sustainable  development  and  fight  against  poverty;  (5)  information  and 
knowledge-based society and culture; (6) normative and technical convergence. Its 
implementation  has  already  yielded 
in  fields  such  as 
mobility/migration,  governance  and  fight  against  poverty.  Progress  has  been 
slower in regional integration. 
On  the  occasion  of  the  10th  anniversary  of  the  Special  Partnership  2  years  ago, 
additional areas for cooperation were added: (7) Investment, jobs and growth; (8) 
Ocean governance and Blue Economy; and (9) Reform of the Administration.  
Cabo  Verde  benefits  from  a  national  envelope  under  the  11th  European 
Development  Fund  (2014-2020)  of  €  79  million  implemented  mainly  through 
budget  support  (94%).  The  focal  sector  is  ‘Good  Governance  and  Development 
Contract’  with  special  focus  on  Gender.  This  amount  includes  two  emergency 
supports to tackle floods and drought.  

important  results 

The  EU  is  also  supporting  Cabo  Verde  in  the  monitoring  of  the  27  international 
conventions  that  are  covered  by  GSP+  through  the  European  Instrument  for 
Democracy and Human Rights. Several projects are supporting this endeavour. 

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3. EU- Cabo Verde trade and GSP 

Cabo  Verde  is  a  rapidly  transforming  island  economy.  The  EU  is  its  main  trading  partner, 
representing 96% of total exports in 2018 and 72% 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  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. 

Figures  1-3  below  describe  Cabo  Verde’s  utilisation  of  GSP+  in  the  context  of  the  EU's 
overall imports from Cabo Verde1. 

More than 79% of total Cabo Verdean exports to the EU benefit from the preferential GSP+ 
duties,  with  utilisation  rates  also  being  above  90%.  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 (8%) and footwear 
(5%). 

Figure 1: Imports to the EU 2016-2018 – GSP+ utilization rate 

1 GSP-statistics only cover goods imported in the EU market, i.e. goods released for free circulation in the EU. 
The GSP statistics do not cover other EU-imports, like goods imported for the customs inward processing 
procedure or re-imports after the customs outward processing procedure 

4 

Cape Verde - imports to the EU 2016-2018 (M€)201620172018trend 2016-2018Total imports70.672.390.528.1%GSP+ eligible68.146.575.410.7%GSP+ preferential65.938.471.68.6%Utilisation rate96.8%82.7%95.0%-1.9% 
 
 
 
                                                 
Figure 2: Imports to the EU 2016-2018 by regime 

Figure 3: Product Diversification of GSP+ Preferential Imports, 2018 

Cabo Verde GSP imports to EU 

S4a preparations of meat, fish

S1b fish, etc

S-11b apparel and clothing

S12a footwear

S20 furniture and toys

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4. Compliance with GSP+ Obligations 

4.1  UN Human Rights Conventions  

Despite  shortcomings  regarding  its  reporting  obligations,  Cabo  Verde  has  a  good  record  on 
the implementation of the core conventions. The main human rights organisations' reports on 
the country confirm the positive trend. The outcome of Cabo Verde's 3rd Universal Periodic 
Review  (UPR)  in  May  2018  also  confirmed  that  the  situation  in  terms  of  respect  for  and 
observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms remains encouraging.  

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.  While  significant  initiatives  and  efforts  have  been  made  during  the  reporting 
period,  further  actions  are  required  to  ensure  full  respect  for  and  observance  ofthe  human 
rights  of  women,  children  and  detainees,  and  prevention,  protection,  and  prosecution  of  all 
forms  of  violence  and  discrimination  against  women.  More  generally,  Cabo  Verde´s 
economic situation as a lower middle income country has had an impact on the full enjoyment 
of economic, social and cultural rights.  

An  EU  funded  project  Promoting  human  and  labour  rights  through  GSP+ 
implemented by Democracy Reporting International, contributed to reinforcing the role 
of the National Commission on Human Rights and Citizenship (CNDHC). The project 
was  aimed  at  enhacing  citizens'  understanding  and  awareness  of  human  rights, 
strengthenings civil society organisations´ skills in preparing shadow reports on GSP+ 
relevant  UN  human  rights  conventions,  and  systematising  CNDHC’s  expertise  in 
collecting data and reporting on the implementation of these human rights conventions. 

Another  project  Improving  the  monitoring  and  effective  implementation  of  core 
international conventions in GSP+, likewise financed by the EU and implemented by 
Democracy Reporting International, has been supporting and empowering civil society 
and social partners to properly monitor the implementation of the core Conventions and 
advocate, when necessary, for improved implementation.  

The  country  is  generally  committed  to  implement  UN  resolutions  regarding  human  rights 
issues and has been vocal in its support to the International Criminal Court (ICC), including 
within the African Union. Its position on human rights in international fora is consistent with 
its domestic legal framework. 

While  discrimination  based  on  sexual  orientation  and  gender  identity  continues  to  occur, 
LGBTI  persons  generally  openly  express  their  sexuality  or  identity.  According  to 
Afrobarometer  2015,  Cabo  Verde  is  the  most  tolerant  African  country  regarding  LGBTI 
issues: asked if they would like or tolerate living with homosexuals in their communities, 74% 
of Cabo Verdeans responded affirmatively. In 2015, Cabo Verde subscribed to the UN Free 
and Equal campaign, being the first African country to join in. In 2018, Cabo Verde joined the 
LGBTI rights network Equal Rights Coalition. 

The existing legislative and regulatory framework states the country's obligations and duties 
to respect, protect and fulfil human rights, in compliance with international human rights law. 
Specific  human  rights  institutions  are  currently  in  place  to  monitor  the  effective 
implementation  of  international  human  rights  norms  at  the  national  level.  Such  institutions 
include  the  National  Commission  on  Human  Rights  and  Citizenship  (CNDHC),  which 

6 

 
 
adopted a Second National Plan for Human Rights and Citizenship (2018-2023) in 2018. The 
CNDHC's  priorities  for  the  new  four-year  plan  include  the  improvement  of  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. However, 
the appointment of the CNDHC President by the Minister of Justice and and the financing of 
this institution under the Ministry's budget are in contradiction with the UN Paris Principles 
which provide the international benchmarks against which national human rights institutions 
(NHRIs)  can  be  accredited  by  the  Global  Alliance  of  National  Human  Rights  Institutions 
(GANHRI).  Recommendations  to  reform  the  Commission  were  made  during  the  previous 
Universal  Periodic  Review  (UPR)  and  a  revised  draft  statute  that  would  guarantee  the 
CNDHC's  full  independence,  ensure  its  own  adequate  financial  resources,  and  increase  its 
staff,  has  been  prepared  but  not  yet  adopted.  The  CNDHC  has  focal  points  in  all  22 
municipalities  on  all  of  the  country's  nine  inhabited  islands,  but  their  mandate  and 
competences, including in terms of adequate powers of investigation, should be strengthened. 
It  also  advises  and  assists  the  Government  to  definedefinein  definedefining  national 
legislation on the protection of human rights.  

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 intolerance. 

The  implementation  and  enforcement  of  the  legal  framework  in  this  area  is  generally 
effective.  Over  the  last  years,  the  country  has  made  significant  progress  in  migration 
management in all its aspects, both immigration and emigration, and in improving respect for 
and  protection  of  the  human  rights  of  migrants.  Discrimination  against  migrants  from  West 
Africa, however, continues to be a concern. 

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) 

The Constitution and laws of Cabo  Verde rule the protection, promotion,  and fulfillment  of 
civil  and  political  rights.  The  Government  generally  respects  and  observes  these  rights, 
including freedom of expression, assembly and association, and press. 

The  Constitutional  system  is  based  on  democratic  values  and  the  principle  of  separation  of 
powers  through  a  series  of  constitutional  safeguards.  The  State  institutions  are  stable  and 
overall functioning, albeit encountering regular delays and administrative capacity limitations.  

However,  as  identified  in  the  2017  Report,  the  justice  system  lacks  sufficient  staffing  and 
experiences  inefficiencies  and  delays.  There  is  a  critical  backlog  of  pending  cases. 
Considerable reform efforts including  in terms of information and communication technology 
(ICT) are underway.  

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

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

Cabo  Verde  had  achieved  most  of  its  Millennium  Development  Goals  by  2015,  with 
significant progress made in particular relating to poverty, mortality of mothers at birth and of 
children  under  five.  The  country  is  moving  towards  the  Sustainable  Development  Goals, 
indicators for which are mostly pointing upwards or stable except for SDG 17 Peace, Justice, 

7 

 
and  Strong  Institutions.  Solid  economic  growth  in  the  2000s  and  again  since  2016  has 
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. In terms of rights 
to quality education, Cabo Verde ranks 7th in the 2018 Ibrahim Index. 

Access  to  drinking  water  and  sanitation  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. Access to 
sanitation is foreseen by PLENAS to reach up to 70% in cities by 2030.  

Access to health is improved on all nine inhabited islands, with health centres 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. 

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

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

The Cabo Verdean  Institute of Equity  and Gender (ICIEG, a Government agency) has been 
working on the protection of the human rights of women. A draft Parity Law was submitted 
to  Parliament  in  May  2019.  Its  debate  and  adoption  foreseen  were  postponed.  The  draft 
prescribes parity for all electoral lists (gender alternating) and, in a more declaratory form, for 
state-owned enterprises.  

Sexual and Gender-based violence (S/GBV) remains an issue of concern. In 2011, a law to 
criminalise  S/GBV  came  into  force,  focusing  on  three  main  objectives:  improving  the 
protection  of  survivors,  holding  offenders  accountable  for  their  actions,  and  raising 
awareness. With the adoption of the Plan to Combat Gender-Based Violence (2015-2018), the 
government  aimed  to  take  action  to    prevent    and  eradicate  S/GBV.  During  the  reporting 
period,  the  authorities  have  carried  out  a  number  of  activities  and  campaigns  to  raise 
awareness,  especially  in  schools  and  among  community  leaders.  353  convicted  S/GBV 
offenders  participated  in  a  rehabilitation/social  reinsertion  programme.  Protection  measures 
such as survivors' support centres in 18 out of 22 municipalities were created. However, not 
all of these centres provide legal and psychological support. Legal aid in court is not available 
on all islands. S/GBV was introduced in the police school curriculum, and S/GBV survivors' 
support  units  were  set  up  in  many  but  not  yet  all  police  squadrons.  The  S/GBV  survivors' 
telephone  hotline  was  abolished.  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 S/GBV-related complaints has decreased. Nonetheless,  the length 
of judicial proceedings remains a problem.  

The  Third  National  Plan  for  Equality  (2015-2018)    focused  on  measures  and  results  in  the 
following  areas:  sexual  and  reproductive  health  and  rights,  health  care,  sexual  and  gender-
based  violence,  education  and  vocational 
training,  reproductive  economy,  political 
participation in decision-making and communication spheres, and institutional strengthening. 
In  October  2018  Cabo  Verde  created  an  Interministerial  Commision  for  Gender 

8 

 
Mainstreaming  to  ensure  the  integration  of  a  gender-sensitive  approach  in  national  policy-
making.  

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 excessive use of force by police is the most common form of abuse. 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 National Commission on Human Rights and Citizenship (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. The government has given assurances that separation 
of prisoners based on trial status is now always observed, which was not the case previously 
due to space limitations. The length of pre-trial detention remains a problem.  

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

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. 

As regards sexual exploitation and abuse of children, the law prohibits and heavily punishes 
those that promote or facilitate child prostitution. Sex tourism involving children is believed 
to  have  increased  with  the  rising  number  of  tourists.    A  'Zero  Tolerance'  campaign  and  a 
National Action Plan against Child Abuse, which has been promoted widely, aim to address 
the issue. There is rising awareness and public outrage against this former taboo. Sex tourism 
is  particularly prevalent  on the main tourism islands, where  a Code of Ethical  Conduct  was 
agreed with hotel 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 Cabo Verdean Institute for the Child and Adolescents (ICCA) is a national network that 
works in cooperation with local authorities, police forces, the attorney general, hospitals and 
health  centres  to  combat  the  abuse  of  and  sexual  violence  against  children.  In  2017,  the 
National Commission on Human Rights and Citizenship (CNDHC), in close cooperation with 
ICCA and the Institute of Equity and Gender (ICIEG), also contributed to the elaboration of 
the National Plan Against Sexual Abuse of Minors, envisaging a wide array of measures to be 
carried  out  over  the  reporting  period.  The  CNDHC  has  elaborated  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.  There  are  several  programmes  on  abuse  and  violence  against  children  in  place, 
including the Children's Emergency Programme and Dial a Complaint, as well as centres and 
integration programmes. The latter include initiatives to promote schooling for street children, 
whose numbers have been increasing due to rapid urbanisation.  

9 

 
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.  A  new  penitentiary  code  was  adopted  in 
2018.  

Conclusions and priorities  

Cabo Verde continues to stand out within its region as an example of tolerance and respect 
for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Cabo Verde implements and enforces all main 
international human rights conventions in a generally effective manner. The existence of an 
independent  and  impartial  justice  system  guarantees  equal  and  effective  access  to  justice, 
which,  however,  is  often  very  slow.  The  process  of  necessary  administrative  and  judiciary 
reforms is underway.   

Concerns  remain  as  regards  the  rights  of  the  child  as  well  as  sexual  and  gender-based 
violence and discrimination, where continued enforcement, awareness raising, and cultural-
social change is required.  

However,  the  authorities  are  clearly  committed  to  continue  improving  respect  for  and 
observance  of  human  rights  and  fundamental  freedoms.  Special  attention  is  needed  in  the 
areas  of  women's  and  children's  human  rights,  combatting  all  forms  of  violence  including 
domestic  violence,  the  situation  of  detainees,  and  the  strengthening  of  the  capacities  of  the 
justice  system.  In  particular,  Cabo  Verde  will  continue  to  pursue  its  policy  on  non-
discrimination of women and combating S/GBV through the implementation of the two major 
plans. 

4.2  ILO Labour Rights Conventions  

Overall,  Cabo  Verde  has  taken  steps  to  ensure  compliance  with  the  fundamental  ILO 
Conventions.  Progress to promote freedom of association and collective bargaining has been 
slow  though  the  reactivation  of  the  National  Committee  for  the  Promotion  of  Collective 
Bargaining  is  underway.  In  2018,  the  first  National  Action  Plan  to  Combat  Trafficking  in 
Persons  was  adopted.  There  are  policy  and  legal  frameworks  in  place  to  fight  child  labour. 
Cabo Verde has made advances in criminalising sexual exploitation of minors. However, this 
also  needs  to  be  properly  implemented.  While  the  legislative  framework  on  non-
discrimination  is  broadly  adequate,  some  important  gaps  remain,  particularly  to  give  full 
expression to the principle of equal  remuneration for work of equal  value.  Efforts  to  ensure 
effective application of international standards are encouraged.  

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

Cabo  Verde  continues  to  be  committed  to  promote  freedom  of  association  and  collective 
bargaining  and  compliance  with  the  fundamental  ILO  Conventions  87  and  98,  though 
progress has been slow. 

The  reactivation  of  the  National  Committee  for  the  Promotion  of  Collective  Bargaining  is 
underway.  This  would  be  an  important  step  in  advancing  on  effective  implementation  and 

10 

 
promotion  of  collective  agreements.  In  2019,  the  ILO  took  note  of  the  new  collective 
agreement of the postal service, which is pending approval. 

In previous years, the ILO raised some challenges related to the exercise of the right to strike 
and recalled in its 2018 report that it is desirable to limit powers of requisitioning to cases in 
which the right to strike may be limited or even prohibited. 

The  2016  Labour  Code  stipulates  the  creation  of  a  Tripartite  Commission.  The  social 
partners have been 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,  while  international  standards  preference  is  with  a 
permanent arrangement. 

Abolition of Forced Labour (Conventions 29 and 105) 

In  2019,  the  ILO  encouraged  Cabo  Verde  to  continue  taking  steps  to  raise  awareness  of, 
prevent,  and  combat  human  trafficking  and  exploitation.  Cabo  Verde  has  indicated  plans  to 
adopt specific law on trafficking in persons, which would establish measures to raise public 
awareness,  target  at-risk  categories,  ensure  trainings  for  relevant  stakeholders,  and  ensure 
victim protection and prosecution of perpetrators. In May 2018, the first National Action Plan 
to Combat Trafficking in Persons for the period 2018-2021 was adopted. 

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

Overall, Cabo Verde has policy and legal framework in place in the area of eliminating child 
labour.  

Cabo Verde was discussed as the country case at the International Labour Conference in June 
2019 for advances in amending legislation to criminalise and punish by imprisonment the use 
and  facilitation  thereof  of  minors  under  18  years  for  purpose  of  prostitution  and  sexual 
exploitation.  It  is  important  to  ensure  that  these  new  provisions  are  duly  implemented  in 
practice and offenders duly prosecuted and punished with dissuasive sanctions. 

The 2018-2021 National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons was adopted in May 
2018. It takes into consideration the needs of minors as one of the vulnerable groups when it 
comes  to  assistance  to  victims.  There  is  also  a National  Action  Plan  for  the  Prevention  and 
Elimination  of  Child  Labour  (PANPETI)  in  place,  but  is  yet  to  include  updated  statistical 
analysis,  legislative  revision  and  institutional  restructuring,  among  others.  In  2019,  the  ILO 
referred  to  the  Government’s  information  that  there  have  been  no  cases  of  child  labour 
reported to the labour inspectorate, and no court decisions have been handed down.  

Nonetheless, there are still some outstanding challenges with regards to the minimum age for 
work. Cabo Verde adopted the national list of hazardous occupations in 2016, which defines 
hazardous  types  of  work  prohibited  for  children  in  different  sectors  (agriculture,  fishery, 
mining,  manufacturing  and  construction),  including  work  with  dangerous  substances. 
However, the ILO noted with regret that the list only applies to children under 16 years. The 
ILO convention 138 states that the minimum age for admission to any type of employment or 
work, which by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out is likely to jeopardize 
the health, safety, or moral of young persons, shall not be less than 18. While authorisation to 
undertake hazardous work from the age of 16 years can exist, it is a limited exception to the 

11 

 
general rule on the prohibition of young persons under 18 years performing hazardous work. 
The list of hazardous occupations needs to be revised regularly. 

Elimination of Discrimination (Conventions 100 and 111) 

on 

Legislative 
non-
framework 
discrimination  in  Cabo  Verde  is  broadly 
adequate  and  in  line  with  international 
labour  standards,  though  some  important 
gaps remain.  

In  previous  years, 
the  ILO  has  been 
recalling  the  need  to  amend  the  legislation 
to  give  full  expression  to  the  principle  of 
equal  remuneration  for  work  of  equal 
value. The 2016 labour law reform failed to 
address  these  issues.  Therefore,  current 
legislation  is  still  insufficient  to  be  fully  in 
line  with 
ILO 
the  principles  of 
Conventions  and  does  not  encompass  the 
concept  of  'equal  value'  and  may  hinder 
progress  in  eliminating  gender-based  pay 
discrimination. 

the 

Conclusions and priorities 

by 
Democracy, 

implemented 
for 

INSPIRED+  Cabo  Verde,  an  EU  funded 
European 
project, 
was 
Partnership 
implemented  during  the  reporting  period. 
Through policy dialogue on socioeconomic 
rights  of  domestic  workers  the  project 
brought  labour  rights  of  (mostly  female) 
domestic workers to the public and political 
agenda  and  promoted  key 
legal  and 
political  changes  in  this  area.  A  campaign 
the 
and 
formalisation  and  regulation  of  domestic 
work  were  developed.  In  July  2018,  the 
project  supported  directly  the  creation  of 
the  first  Domestic  Workers  Association 
in the country. 

focusing 

action 

plan 

on 

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.  

Progress was made to eliminate child labour, sexual exploitation of children and prohibition 
of minors in hazardous work. However, this needs to remain a priority area. 

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. Cabo Verde should continue its efforts to maintain reporting 
obligations both to the ILO and in the context of the GSP+ monitoring. Notwithstanding some 
progress, further efforts should also be pursued to promote collective bargaining.  

Among  cross-cutting  issues  representing  challenges  for  further  progress  are  the  limited 
capacity of the labour inspectorate, the need for capacity building on core labour standards 
by authorities and other stakeholders and to strengthen data collection and reporting. Cabo 
Verde's cooperation with the ILO to  address  these shortcomings is  welcome. The  ILO, with 
EU  financial  support,has  been  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.  Cabo  Verde  must  ensure  the 
sustainability of this process, now that the project has been successfully concluded, to comply 
with reporting obligations in the future. 

12 

 
4.3  UN  Conventions  on  Environmental  Protection  and 

Climate Change  

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.  There  is  a  legislative  plan  in  place,  but  progress 
has been slow.  

The CITES secretariat has noted Cabo Verde’s need for drafting assistance. In February 2017. 
Authorities attended a workshop on strengthening national legal frameworks for the effective 
implementation  of  CITES  and  for  combatting  illegal  trade  in  wildlife,  organised  by  CITES 
Secretariand and UNEP. 

Basel Convention 

The Implementation and Compliance Committee under the Basel Convention, in its decision 
from September 2018, welcomed the transmission of its national reports for 2015, 2016 and 
2017, and the completion of the activities of Cabo Verde’s approved compliance action plan.    

Legislation under the Basel Convention 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  under  CBD.  The  5th  National  Implementation  Report  (NIP)  was 
submitted  in  2015,  the  6th  NIP  was  due  in  2018.  Preparation  for  the  ratification  of  Nagoya 
Protocol  is  still  ongoing  since  the  last  reporting  period  2016-2017.  A  National  Strategic 
Biodiversity Plan 2014-2030, as well as a revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action 
Plan (NBSAP) since 2016 are 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. Efforts are focused 
on sharks, turtles, and birds.  

Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants 

Cabo Verde ratified the convention in 2006 and submitted its 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 
still 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 

13 

 
                                                 
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety 

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 ratified the Paris Agreement on 21 September 2017. The agreement entered into 
force on 20 December 2017. 

The  consumption  of  hydrochlorofluorocarbon  (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  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.  

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.  Installed 
capacity of renewables currently represents 25%. 

Conclusions and monitoring priorities 

Cabo  Verde  faces  challenges  in  reporting  and  legislation  for  the  implementation  of  several 
environmental and climate change conventions. 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. 

2.4 UN Conventions on Good Governance  

International Drug Control Conventions 

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. Cannabis and cocaine (crack) are the most commonly used drugs and often 
linked to urban crime.  

In  October  2018,  Cabo  Verde  adopted  a  new  National  Integrated  Programme  (NIP)  (2018-
2023)  for  the  fight  against  drugs  and  related  crimes,  which  replaces  the  earlier  National 
Integrated Programme 2012-2016. Both NIPs were developed with the UN Office on Drugs 
and Crime (UNODC). The NIP (2018-2023) addresses the combined threats of drug demand 
and  offer,  and  related  criminal  justice  challenges.  The  NIP  anchors  its  intervention  strategy 
around  five  strategic  axes,  namely:  (i)  Prevention  and  Research;  (ii)  Care,  Treatment,  and 
Social  Reintegration;  (iii)  Risk  Reduction  and  Minimization  of  Damages;  (iv)  Combatting 
Illicit  Trafficking,  Organized  Crime  and  Terrorism  and;  (v)  Integrity  and  Criminal  Justice 
System  Reinforcement.  The  programme,  beyond  its  health  and  drug  demand  reduction 

14 

 
integrated focus, aims to reduce drug trafficking and related crimes, with a view to limit drug 
supply  in  the  national  market  and  transnational  drug  transhipment.  The  program  has  a 
foreseen budget of USD 7 million.  

On 10 July 2019, Cabo Verde presented the NIP to international partners with a request for 
financial  support.  Cabo  Verde  requested  UNODC  to  assist  with  the  revision  of  its  drug 
legislation and has drafted a  new  drug  law, which shifts the focus  from criminalising drug 
users  to  a  more  health-oriented  approach.  This  draft  law  remains  to  be  adopted.  A  new 
Government commission for the coordination of drug prevention is being set up.  

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  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.  

UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) 

Cabo  Verde  was  reviewed  under  UNCAC  in  2016  and  2017.  According  to  UNODC,  the 
country  has  no  major  compliance  problems.  The  Implementation  Review  Group  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.  There  is  a  national  Office  for  Asset  Recovery,  as 
well as a Public Procurement Code of Conduct in place.  

Legislation  against  money  laundering  is  in  place,  which  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. The country expects to further 
strengthen resillience through its new central recruiting system for the public administration. 
Cabo  Verde  has  carried  out  a  National  Risk  Assessment  regarding  money  laundering  and 
financing of terrorism.  

Yet,  the  Inter-Governmental  Action  Group  against  Money  Laundering  (GIABA)  identified 
important  shortcomings  both  in  the  legal  framework  and  in  the  effectiveness  of  the  anti-
money landering and terrorist financing  regime in Cabo Verde3.  For instance, the intensive 
use of cash in the economy, the absence of limits to cash transactions, and the enormous size 
of the informal economy in the country aggravate the money laundering risk. Furthermore, the 
underlying  preventive  measures  (e.g.  customer  due  diligence),  as  well  as  their  effective 
implementation  by  both  financial  institutions  and  designated  non-financial  businesses  and 
professions  (DNFBPs),  are  inadequate  in  consideration  of  the  country’s  money  laundering 
(ML) risk profile. With regard to the ML and also terrorrist financing (TF) risk, the relevant 
supervisors are yet to have the necessary mechanisms to develop activities in order to combat 
ML/TF  on  a  risk-sensitive  basis.  Particularly,  the  supervisory  activity  in  sectors  that  have 
been identified with a higher risk (e.g. the real estate, Non-Profit Organisations, or gambling 

3 https://www.giaba.org/media/f/1081_ENG%20-
%20Final%20MER%20of%20Cabo%20Verde%20May%202019%20rev7519.pdf 

15 

 
                                                 
sector) is either limited or non-existent. Another weakness in relation to the prevention of ML 
and  TF  is  that  the  identification  of  beneficial  owners  (BO)  is  a  major  challenge  for  all 
DNFBPs. Although, there is a solid legal framework for the identification of BOs in place, the 
implementation  remains  weak.  Finally,  both  financial  institutions  and  DNFBPs  either  only 
have  limited  or  no  knowledge  of  the  UN  Sanctions  Lists  at  all  for  the  implementation  of 
targeted financial sanctions. 

Cabo  Verde  was  ranked  number  45  out  of  180  countries  in  the  2018  Transparency 
International Corruption Perception Index, with a perceived level of public sector corruption 
score  of  57  out  of  100  (whereby  zero  means  'highly  corrupt').  Previous  scores  were:  2016 
(59), 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. 

Cabo  Verde  should  make  further  efforts  in  order  to  reinforce  its  regime  for  fighting  money 
laundering  and  terrorist  financing.  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. There remain some serious deficiencies in relation 
to the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing in Cabo Verde. 

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 

Ongoing 

No reporting obligations 

Ratified: 
03.10.1979 

No reservations 

Lack of compliance with reporting obligations 

Last report submitted on 05.08.2002. 

Last concluding observations from 23.10.2003. 

3. International 
Covenant on Civil and 
Political Rights 

Ratified: 
06.08.1993 

Latest report was due on 02.11.2006. 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

Last report submitted on 09.02.2018. 

No reservations 

Last concluding observations from 23.04.2012. 

4. International 
Covenant on Economic, 
Social and Cultural 
Rights 

Ratified: 
06.08.1993 

No reservations 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

Last report submitted on 27.12.2017. 

Last concluding observations from 12.10.2018. 

Next follow-up state party report due on 12.10.2020. 

Next report due on 31.10.2023. 

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

Ratified: 
05.12.1980 

No reservations 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

Last report submitted on 09.02.2018. 

Last concluding observations from 30.07.2019. 

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

Ratified: 
04.06.1992 

No reservations 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

Last report published on 26.01.2017. 

Last concluding observations from 07.12.2016. 

Last follow-up state party report was due 07.12.2017. 

7. Convention on the 
Rights of the Child 

Ratified: 
04.06.1992 

Next report due on 07.12.2020. 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

Last report submitted on 12.10.2017.  

No reservations 

Last concluding observations from 31.05.2019. 

8. Convention 
concerning Forced or 

Ratification: 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

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 

 
 
                                                 
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 

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 

1979 

Latest CEACR comments: Direct Request 2018. 

Next regular report due in 2020.  

Ratification: 
1999 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

Latest CEACR comments: Direct Request 2017. 

Last report received in 2019.  

Ratification: 
1979 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

Latest CEACR comments: Direct Request 2017. 

Last report received in 2019. 

Ratification: 
1979 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

Latest CEACR comments: Observation 2016; Direct Request 2016. 

Last report following comments received 10.09.2018. 

Next regular report due in 2021.  

Ratification: 
1979 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

Last report received in 2015 (out of cycle). 

Next regular report due in 2020.  

Ratification: 
1979 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

Latest CEACR comments: Direct Request 2016. 

Last report following comments received 10.09.2018.  

Next regular report due in 2021.  

Compliant with reporting obligations 

Latest CEACR comments: Observation 2018, Direct Request 2018. 

Last report received in 2018 (out of cycle).  

Next regular report due 2020. 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

Latest CEACR comments: Observation 2018, Direct Request 2018. 

Ratification: 
2011  

Minimum age 
specified: 15 
years  

Ratification: 
2001 

16. CITES 

Accession: 
10.08.2005 

Next regular report due 2020.  

Lack of compliance with reporting obligations 

Latest (2016) Annual report submitted 29.03.2017. 

Next (2018) Annual Report due 31.10.2019  

Annual report for 2017 was due 31.10.2018.  

Biennial Reports for 2003-04, 2005-06, 2007-08, 2009-10, 2011-12, 2013-14, 
and implementation report 2015-17 due5. 

5 Reporting mandatory, but not subject to compliance procedure. 

18 

 
 
                                                 
Annual Illegal Trade report due for 2017.6  

17. Montreal Protocol 

Accession: 
31.07.2001 

No reservations 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

Most recent data for 2016 was submitted. 

No more recent reporting data is available. 

18. Basel Convention 

Accession: 
02.07.1999  

Compliant with reporting obligations  

Last (2017) National Report submitted on 27.12.2018.  

No reservations 

Next (2018) Annual National Report due in 2019.  

19. Convention on 
Biological Diversity 

Ratification: 
29.03.1995 

Lack of compliance with reporting obligations 

Last (Fifth) National Report was submitted on 25.11.2015. 

No reservations 

Latest (Sixth) National Report was due on 31.12.2018. 

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

20. UN Framework 
Convention on Climate 
Change 

Ratification: 
29.03.1995 

No reservations 

Lack of compliance with reporting obligations 

Last (Third) National Communication submitted on 05.10.2018. 

Biennial Update Reports for 2014, 2016, and 2018 are due. 

21. Cartagena Protocol 
on Biosafety 

Ratification: 
01.11.2005 

Lack of compliance with reporting obligations 

Last (Second) National Report submitted on 28.09.2011.  

No reservations 

Next (Fourth) National report due on 01.09.2019. 

Interim National Report (2005), First (2007) and Third (2015) National Report 
are due.  

22. Stockholm 
Convention 

Accession: 
01.03.2006 

Lack of compliance with reporting obligations 

No reservations 

First (2006), Second  (2010), Third (2014), and Fourth (2018) National Reports 
due. 

23. Kyoto Protocol 

24. UN Single 
Convention on Narcotic 
Drugs 

Accession: 
10.02.2006 

No reservations 

Accession: 
24.05.1990 

No reservations 

25. UN Convention on 
Psychotropic Substances 

Accession: 
24.05.1990 

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

No reservations 

Accession: 
08.05.1993 

No reservations 

27. UN Convention 
against Corruption 

Ratification: 
23.04.2008 

6 As above.  

National Implementation Plan submitted 06.08.2018.  

No reporting obligations. 

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

See report of the INCB for 2018. 

Not compliant with the obligation to submit information for 2009-2013.   

Reviewing is fulfilled by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).  

Cabo Verde was reviewed in 2016 – 2017. The executive summary is available.  

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No reservations 

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