Human Rights in Angola

Human Rights in Angola

In the past few years, the status of human rights in Angola has raised concerns among citizens, government officials and human rights advocates alike. Angola's stance on human rights is very low, as human rights violations are committed on a daily basis. This is a result of the fact that Angola has barely known a year of peace in the twenty-five years since its independence from Portugal in 1975 (INS Resource Information at http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/asylum/ric/documentation/AGO01003.htm). Armed conflict between the Angolan government and rebels of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) has caused an estimated 500,000 deaths among a population of 12 million (INS Resource Information at http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/asylum/ric/documentation/AGO01003.htm). Some 100,000 people have had limbs amputated from landmine explosions, and almost a third of the population has been displaced as a result of the fighting and an estimated four million people depend on humanitarian assistance to survive (INS Resource Information at http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/asylum/ric/documentation/AGO01003.htm).

The articles of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights applies to all countries who have ratified or acceded, including Angola. The Covenant on Civil and Political Rights begins by stating that all peoples have the right to self-determination. It recognizes that everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person, and it prohibits torture, cruel or degrading treatment or punishment, and the arbitrary deprivation of life. Anyone arrested is to be informed of the reason for the arrest, and anyone arrested or detained on a criminal charge is to be brought promptly before a judge or other legally authorized person. The Covenant also provides, among other things, for freedom of movement, and places limitations upon the expulsion of aliens present lawfully in the territory of a State Party. In addition, the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion and freedom of expression are recognized by the Covenant, which also prohibits any propaganda for war or any advocacy of national, racial and religious hatred. All of these articles apply to the people of Angola.

Many historical factors have contributed to Angola's position on human rights. Initially, internationally supported efforts to bring a negotiated end to the armed conflict saw some progress during the 1990s (INS Resource Information at http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/asylum/ric/documentation/AGO01003.htm). But rebel resistance to implementing the terms of a 1994 peace agreement led to international sanctions against UNITA. Renewed conflict broke out in late 1998 with devastating consequences to the civilian population-hundreds of thousands were forced from their homes; scores were killed in military clashes or as targets of one of the belligerent sides; a hundred people were killed by mines in the first half of 2000 (INS Resource Information at http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/asylum/ric/documentation/AGO01003.htm). Furthermore, in February of 1999 the United Nations withdraws its mission from Angola, leaving a reduced human rights presence. In 2000, government forces make strategic military advances, forcing UNITA from some of its historic strongholds, and hundreds of thousands of Angolans are forced from their homes and grave human rights violations by both sides continued (INS Resource Information at http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/asylum/ric/documentation/AGO01003.htm).

In Angola, human rights appear to be largely part of a political entity. This is because the majority of human rights violations in Angola have been the result of Angola's almost continuous civil war. According to reports, the armed opposition "also was responsible for numerous, serious abuses. UNITA forces were responsible for killings, disappearances, torture, rape, and other abuse. UNITA military units reportedly pillaged rural areas; depopulated large parts of the country, killed traditional leaders, and eliminated all opposition, real or potential" (U.S. Department of State at 1-2). In other countries, human rights appear to be more moral or legal entities. There does not appear to be a hierarchy of human rights, however, an appropriate hierarchy would be as follows: moral, legal, and political. A person can lose their human rights through any kind of abuse comparative to the type of human abuses occurring in Angola. Human rights cannot be simply suspended, because once you lose them, it is not that simple to gain them back. Prisoners and war captives can lose human rights for a while, but may gain them back after their period of incarceration terminates.