(2004/C 78 E/0562)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3407/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(17 November 2003)

Subject:   Cabinda — report on human rights

The media have reported that a report based on testimonies collected by Catholic priests in Cabinda indicates that there have been frequent cases of torture, rape, murder, illegal detention, and the theft of money and other property from the civilian population in the enclave. With reference to specific recent cases, the report speaks of 30 civilian deaths and 16 rapes, inter alia.

The same source claims that following the death of Jonas Savimbi and the end of the war with Unita, the Forças Armadas Angolanas (FAA) have relocated 30 000 men to Cabinda, to put an end to the guerrilla fighting in the region. The report denounced human rights' violations perpetrated both by FLEC forces and the FAA, attributing most of the crimes to the latter.

The preface to the report was written by the Bishop of Cabinda, Dom Paulino Madeca, who states that ‘Unfortunately, the political situation has developed in the wrong direction in recent years. Thinking predicated on warfare is the predominant approach to solving the “Cabinda case”. (…) Everybody can see the results of the offensive, which can be summed up as systematic violation of human rights and crimes against humanity, as the cases investigated show’.

What information does the Commission have as to the alleged recent violation of human rights in Cabinda? Has the Commission analysed this report in detail?

Has the Commission taken measures to alert the Angolan authorities and make them aware of the need to protect human rights in Cabinda? And likewise the rebel forces?

What contacts does the Commission maintain with the Church and civil society in Cabinda, so as to be able to assess the situation in the territory on a non-partisan, independent basis?

What are the Commission's expectations with regard to the longed-for pacification of Cabinda, and a political solution to the conflict?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(22 December 2003)

The Commission has knowledge of the report and believes that, although it is not in a position to examine all the allegations in detail, it serves as a further indication that the situation in Cabinda remains critical. The Commission maintains regular contacts with civil society in general and the church in particular to discuss the situation in Angola, including the human rights situation. Support for civil society is a component of the Community/Angola cooperation strategy. (The issue of human rights is also addressed through the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), which is financing a project ‘The church and the construction of peace in Angola’ (1).)

Human rights will most certainly be on the agenda of the regular political dialogue (Article 8 of the Cotonou Agreement) with Angola, which was referred to in the Council conclusions of 13 October 2003. The political dialogue is the appropriate forum and most effective tool to discuss this issue with the Angolan Government. The Commission does not have direct contact with the rebel forces.

As regards the long-term perspectives for the situation in Cabinda, the Commission is confident that the consolidation of democracy in Angola will be beneficial also for the Cabindan people. It is understood that this is a very critical situation, but the Commission will do its utmost to ensure the respect of human rights and to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict, involving all stakeholders, i.e. the Angolan Government, the Forces of Liberation of the State of Cabinda (FLEC) and representatives of the very active Cabinda civil society.

(1)  Comite Intereclesial para a paz em Angola (Coiepa) project.