Angola: Briefing Paper on the situation of human rights defenders

(Geneva) - Angola is scheduled to be reviewed at the 20th session of the Universal Periodic Review in October 2014.

Human rights defenders, particularly those working on issues of economic, social and cultural rights, continue to be subject to arbitrary arrests and judicial harassment. The judicial system, particularly defamation lawsuits, continues to be used bythe government to silence and intimidate journalists and activists. Further, there have been numerous credible reports of police harassment, arbitrart detention and the use of excessive force to prevent peaceful anti-government protests, strikes, and other gatherings from taking place.

Angola ranks 101 out of 109 States assessed in the 2013 CIVICUS Enabling Environment index, a study of how open and safe a country is for civil society activism.

Angola's UPR represents an opportunity to make recommendations and push for reform to ensure a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders and other civil society actors, including through the enactment of specific laws and policies to protect defenders, the repeal or amendment of defamation laws that are used to restrict defenders' work, and the establishment of a national human rights institution in compliance with the Paris Principles. 

This Briefing Paper on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders in Angola is intended to assist States and other stakeholders to formulate questions and recommendations regarding the protection of human rights defenders during the UPR.

For further information about the Briefing Paper or for any assistance or advice in the formulation of recommendations, please contact ISHR's Clement Voulé, on [email protected].