International Agencies Call for Sanctions Against Angola Over Rights Violation

Church and development organizations across the United Kingdom are demanding that Britain and other countries with close bilateral ties to Angola, take a more robust position against continuing human rights violations in the African country.

The pressure erupted after the government in Luanda ordered the closure of the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, ahead of Angola’s first parliamentary elections since the end of the country’s 27-year civil war.

Christian Aid, one of the UK-based development international organizations, on Monday expressed concerns that the closure of the office signals growing government intolerance for criticism and human rights scrutiny in the run-up to elections.

“Asking the UN’s human rights office to close is the latest example in a long list of worrying incidents where the Angolan government has sought to stifle dissent,” says Christian Aid’s senior official, Rosario Advirta.

In 2007, the Angolan government accused several human rights groups, including Christian Aid partner organizations, of “illegal activities”; and threatened them with closure.

Christian Aid and other agencies have earlier publicly raised their human rights concerns persistently, most recently with French president Nicolas Sarkozy, prior to his visit to Angola in May.

With a booming oil industry – including significant investment from UK companies – Angola has the second-fastest growing economy in the world, having overtaken Nigeria as Africa’s largest oil producer.

But despite booming economic growth, most Angolans remain desperately poor, with a quarter of all Angolan children dying before their fifth birthday, said the rights group.

“Angola’s economic boom is mainly benefiting the elite,” explains Advirta. “Civil society organizations have a vital role to play in building a fair and democratic society in Angola, and in making sure that the country’s wealth benefits all her citizens.

These organizations must be allowed to pursue their legitimate activities unhindered, especially as elections approach”, the agencies suggested.

In a joint statement with partners, Christian Aid warns that “remaining silent when human rights are disrespected… will only result in future instability and crises”.

Source African Press Agency

Net News Publisher