CONFIDENTIAL
ANGOLA
Report by Central and Southern African Department
General Observations
Angola is newly independent, still in a state of semi-war and has no published Constitution. With no diplomatic relations our information is limited and the situation throughout the country is subject to rapid change. It is, therefore, difficult to compile an accurate assessment of the Angolan Government's performance on human rights.
Right No.
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
There may be some people imprisoned without trial but we do not know how many.
A number of military tri- bunals have taken place recently. We do not know whether they could be considered to be properly constituted trials.
Rating suggested by Department
7-8
We have very little evidence regarding the use of torture. There have been reports of imprisonment and torture of members of opposition political groups. The Cubans control the Directorate for Internal Security, which makes the use of torture possible.
There is probably no slavery. But there have been some compulsory harvest cam- paigns eg forced labour for harvesting the coffee crop.
The media are under Central Government control. Since formal introduction of Marxist-Leninist principles in October 1976 and the Government's declared intention to "re-educate" the masses, freedom of speech will have been severely curtailed.
5-6
1
10
(v)
(vi)
The judiciary is under state control.
(vii)
There is one, all-embracing trade union organisation controlled by the Central Government.
Theoretical freedom to emigrate may exist, but in practice there may be a number of constraints, eg permission to transfer money.
CONFIDENTIAL
10
10
5
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