92003E0639

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0639/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Council

(4 March 2003)

Subject: Angola Cabinda human rights

In December 2002 a report was presented in Luanda drawing attention to serious violations of human rights in the Angolan province of Cabinda. This report was produced by Angolan NGOs. Several of its claims have since been confirmed from other sources (notably Amnesty International) and relayed in the international press. The report accuses both the Angolan military and the pro-independence FLEC.

The long-standing conflict between the Angolan government and UNITA has recently subsided, bringing in its wake the return of peace.

Angola is now endeavouring to consolidate democracy in a framework of national reconciliation and freedom, without which it will be impossible to rebuild the nation or, by the same token, promote the welfare of its inhabitants. However, the problem of Cabinda remains unsolved, as does the associated armed conflict; meanwhile, all initiatives are to be welcomed if they contribute to the broadening and deepening of the framework for peace and reconstruction and are based on a full commitment to respecting fundamental human rights.

Can the Council answer the following:

- has the Council examined the above-mentioned report?

- has it been made aware by other means of the human rights violations referred to?

- does it have a position on the claims made?

- does the Council believe it is in its power to take measures to help ensure that human rights violations of this nature will not recur and, if possible, to promote a political dialogue which will put an end to the conflict in Cabinda?

Reply

(29 September 2003)

The Council has always followed developments in Angola closely, particularly in the province of Cabinda, and remains concerned about reports on human rights violations as referred to by the Honourable Member. The Council's position on human rights violations is well known and constantly repeated in the appropriate fora. The Council is trying to do its utmost to take measures that help ensure that human rights violations will not recur. It has called on the government of Angola to provide the necessary resources to meet the humanitarian challenges and to implement policies aimed at ensuring civil rights and delivering real and sustainable economic and social reform. The EU is committed to continuing to raise human rights issues and to assisting the Angolan authorities in their efforts to alleviate the suffering of the people in the context of an ongoing political dialogue under Article 8 of the Cotonou Agreement. It will continue to follow developments in the situation with the aim of facilitating a negotiated solution.