Photo: ISHR
On 1 July 2025, during the 59th session of the Human Rights Council, the Universal Periodic Review of Angola was adopted. The statement delivered by ISHR, in partnership with Kutakesa, highlighted the recent adoption of legislation jeopardising the freedom of assembly and association and imposing risks on the work of human rights defenders in Angola.
The statement delivered by Maria Lùcia Silveira acknowledged the acceptance of recommendations related to the rights of defenders and the protection of freedom of assembly and association by the government of Angola. However, it deplored that Angola only noted the recommendations calling on authorities not to adopt legislation that seeks to restrict freedom of peaceful assembly and association. Following the non-acceptance of those recommendations, the government of Angola recently approved the Presidential decree 214/24, which not only represents a threat to the work of human rights defenders but also violates constitutional and international human rights standards. The statement highlighted that the decree, in its articles 4, 13, 14, and 15, imposes generalised, disproportionate, and highly intrusive measures on all non-profit organisations, thereby reducing the effectiveness of their work.
For a realignment to international standards on the protection of the rights of defenders and the protection of freedom of assembly and association, ISHR recommended that Angola:
Following this review, the recommendations accepted by the Human Rights Council will serve as a basis to guide Angola in protecting the rights at risk, and most importantly, in complying with internationally recognised standards.
Watch the full statement below:
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The 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council will consider issues including acts of intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the UN, systemic racism, environment and climate justice, and the rights of Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent. It will also present an opportunity to address grave human rights situations in States including Afghanistan, Burundi, China, Israel/oPt, Nicaragua, Russia, Sudan and Venezuela, and many others. Here's an overview of some of the key issues on the agenda.
Sudanese authorities are systemically denying access to identification documents, especially passports, to human rights defenders, political opponents, and peace advocates calling for an end to the war, a sustainable peace, and a democratic transition.
