Following the Secretary General's report "Strengthening
of the United Nations: an agenda for further change"
(A/57/387), a Plan of Action (known as Action 2)
has been prepared by the United Nations Development
Group Office and the Office of the High Commissioner
for Human Rights to develop the capacity of the UN humanitarian
and development operations. This is so they can support
the member states in establishing and strengthening
national human rights promotion and protection systems
consistent with international human rights norms and
principles. The Plan of action has a three-year time
frame, from 2004 to 2006.
An important contribution
to the agenda set out by Action-2 in Angola was the
visit of the Special Representative of the Secretary
General for Human Rights Defenders. The Special Representative
conducted a country visit to Angola from 16 to 24 August 2004
during which she met with senior officials of the Government,
a wide range of human rights defenders and representatives
of international intergovernmental organizations and
States. The objective of the visit was to assess the
situation and role of human rights defenders in Angola
.
- In section I, the
Special Representative describes the legal and institutional
environment in which human rights defenders work in
Angola . She emphasizes that applicable laws in the
field of freedom of expression, information and association
continue to demonstrate numerous weaknesses which adversely
affect human rights defenders. While welcoming the worthy
efforts of the Government to develop national policies
and institutions to promote and protect human rights
in the country, she underlines that efforts are still
required to ensure their adequate functioning.
- In section II, the
Special Representative examines the capacity of human
rights defenders in Angola. She notes that despite the
presence of many NGOs in the country, the defenders'
capacity to raise human rights issues remains weak,
particularly outside of Luanda . She points out the
need for additional training and increased cooperation
between existing organizations.
- In section III, the
Special Representative welcomes the relative improvement
of the situation of defenders since the end of the war.
She regrets, however, that State authorities continue
to consider human rights defenders with hostility and
to assimilate their action with political opposition.
She notes that as a result human rights defenders often
practise self-censorship, leaving many important issues
unaddressed. She also underlines that the absence of
independent media hinders the capacity of human rights
defenders to publicize their concerns and conduct their
activities. Defenders continue to face serious obstacle
to the creation, registration and operation of NGOs
and their limited access to justice adversely affects
their work.
She concludes her report
noting that with elections planned for 2006, Angola
is facing a serious challenge in its development towards
democracy which can only be met if human rights defenders
are allowed to effectively contribute to the preparation,
monitoring and conduct of this important process.
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