A/HRC/28/11
However, the visits did not take place because of the timing, but there was political will to
have those visits and they may occur next year. The delegation emphasized that freedom of
expression was a fundamental right enshrined in article 40 of the Constitution in
conjunction with Law No. 7/06 of 15 May (Press Law), as well as other international legal
instruments ratified by Angola, including ICCPR (art. 19) and the African Charter on
Human and Peoples’ Rights, provided such expression did not violate the respect for a
citizen’s honour, good name, reputation, image and private life. The delegation explained
that the national service for criminal investigation and instruction, the Attorney General and
the courts had standing to proceed with alleged violations only if the victim considered that
his honour had been offended and proceeded to lodge a formal complaint. If the victim
decided to drop the case, for any reason, including agreement with the defendant, the case
was closed.
17.
Angola was a member of the United Nations and a party to the African Union
Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption. It was also a founding member of
the Kimberley Process on the buying and selling of diamonds. A technical team comprising
members drawn from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Geology and Mines
and the Ministry of Petroleum was considering the Extractive Industries Transparency
Initiative.
18.
A comprehensive programme of reform in the health-care sector had been carried
out, including rehabilitation of the health-care infrastructure. There was also the expansion
of the municipal health-care network and the creation of new specialized reference services.
Angola continued to show improvement in the areas of pregnancy health care, the
prevention of diseases through vaccination, and the reduction or stabilization of the
incidence and mortality of endemic diseases, in particular HIV/AIDS. The health indicators
showed remarkable progress in the areas of maternal and infant mortality.
19.
Through Cabinet Presidential Decree No. 52/12 of 26 March 2012, Angola had
established the Regulation for the National Commission on the Prevention and Audit of
Maternal and Perinatal Deaths, and a project on strengthening municipal health services in
order to enhance health care and management at the primary care level, with 267 Cuban
technicians, and approved two projects on tuberculosis and malaria. The campaigns of
provincial and national vaccination were frequent and had contributed to the reduction of
preventable diseases.
20.
The Constitution established several principles in safeguarding the rights of children.
In 2008, the executive branch ratified 11 commitments to children and set out a plan of
action for monitoring their implementation, which is assessed every two years at the
National Children’s Forum.
B.
Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review
21.
During the interactive dialogue, 101 delegations made statements. Recommendations
made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report.
22.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland welcomed the country’s
recent openness to visits by human rights groups and urged Angola to ensure that
democratic space remained open.
23.
The United Republic of Tanzania acknowledged human rights achievements, which
were made despite challenges in economic development, health and housing, and
commended the adoption of the 2010 Constitution.
5
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