Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Legal News Blogs -> JURIST - The Paper Chase

Legal News

: JURIST - The Paper Chase

Rights group urges end to violence in Angola province

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] The Angolan government should stop torture and unfair trials in the province of Cabinda, according to a Human Rights Watch (HRW) statement issued Wednesday. HRW alleges that at least 15 civilians and six military personnel have been arbitrarily detained in Cabinda since September 2007. There has been only one trial, which resulted in a conviction, and HRW found that the trial fell short of international fair trial standards. HRW also alleges that the detainees have been tortured and held under inhumane conditions. HRW Africa Director Georgette Gagnon said, "The Angolan government should immediately stop all torture of detainees and permit international scrutiny of military detention facilities in Cabinda. . . . Those responsible for the mistreatment of detainees should be held accountable." HRW claims that 14 civilians are currently being held illegally. Angola has a history of human rights violations, particularly in the province of Cabinda, which has been fighting for independence since 1975. In 2006, a pro-independence group in Cabinda announced that it was filing a request with the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the prosecutor's office to conduct an investigation into alleged Angolan war crimes. In August, HRW expressed doubts as to whether the September elections would be fair and free. After the elections, HRW identified problems with the electoral system and called for changes before the 2009 presidential elections.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on December 10, 2008 (boomark / email).