A/HRC/14/37 forces in connection with the expulsion of immigrants, noting that this issue was addressed bilaterally with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with the participation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. It invited Angola to implement all recommendations as soon as possible and to provide an interim report before the second cycle of the universal periodic review. 479. Nigeria noted that Angola had accepted most of the recommendations made during its review, and emphasized that this reflected Angola’s willingness to continue to engage with the United Nations system in the area of the promotion and protection of human rights, regardless of the numerous challenges encountered. Nigeria expressed its confidence that Angola would make every effort to implement its national plans and strategies in all areas of human rights in cooperation with the relevant bodies and mechanisms. 480. South Africa congratulated Angola on its achievements since the restoration of peace, noting in particular the initiatives aimed at reforming the judiciary and improving access to justice. It noted that Angola had adopted a Constitution earlier in 2010 and stated that the approach taken by Angola, which was rooted in the objective of consolidating democracy and the rule of law, would progressively enable the Government to fulfil its international human rights obligations. South Africa also highlighted the adoption of nationality laws, which ensured that no child born in Angola would be deprived of Angolan citizenship. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 481. Human Rights Watch expressed concern about the continuation of restrictions on the right to freedom of expression and on the rights to freedom of assembly and association. It was particularly concerned about the arbitrary and politically-motivated arrest of prominent human rights defenders, civic activists and Government critics in the enclave province of Cabinda. It urged Angola to urgently ratify the Convention against Torture, and encouraged the Parliament and Constitutional Court of Angola to immediately revise abusive national security laws. It was also concerned about an increasing wave of mass, forced evictions, without adequate compensation or alternative housing, and the Government’s practice of obstruction or unlawfully banning of public demonstrations against such evictions. 482. Amnesty International welcomed the acceptance by Angola of recommendations aimed at ending forced evictions, but noted that no investigation had taken place following the eviction of more than 3,000 families from their homes in March 2010, as a result of which 7 people had reportedly died. Amnesty International also called on Angola to ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention against Torture and the Optional Protocol thereto, the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It welcomed the fact that Angola had accepted the recommendations to ensure respect for freedom of expression and freedom of association, as well as respect for the work of human rights defenders, noting that this was particularly pertinent in the light of the Government’s refusal to allow two peaceful demonstrations in 2010, against forced evictions and alleged arbitrary detentions, respectively. 483. Rencontre africaine pour la défense des droits de l’homme congratulated Angola on its efforts to consolidate peace and security since the signing of the Lusaka Agreement in 1994 between the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). It remained concerned by the violence, ill-treatment, torture and forced eviction of African migrants in a country which had received the support of all African countries for its independence. It noted that the 1993 law in relation to the press restricted the freedom and independence of the media. It called upon Angola to take appropriate measures to put an end to the stigmatization of 120 GE.12-17781