10 June 1999

BONN: Where there is respect for human rights, there is no room for war. Where there is war, as in Angola, the work of UN Volunteers investigating human rights abuses becomes virtually impossible. UNVs Aboulaye Seye from Senegal, Robert Wilkinson from the United States and Flaminia Minelli from Italy worked to promote human rights in Angola until December 1998, when the resumption of conflict compelled them to leave their respective duty stations.

Since January, Robert and Flaminia are in Luanda. Robert is attempting to link up the Human Rights Division of the Observer Mission with representatives of UN Agencies, NGOs and INGOs in Angola. Flaminia, together with other UNVs, is co-ordinating various recommendations for future operations on the basis of questionnaires sent to all the sections of the UN Observer Mission. The survey results will be published, which might encourage future UN missions to incorporate a human rights element in their operations.

Ever since Angola’s independence in 1975 there have been sporadic, often sustained outbreaks of armed conflict. In response to the instability caused by recurring civil war the late Alioune Blondin Beye, a jurist from Mali, introduced structures for human rights awareness while serving as Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Angola. During this time several local NGOs were established around the issue.

In the same way the human rights section of the UN Observer Mission in Angola sought to promote the observance of human rights. This is where UN Volunteers sought to come up with a clear picture of the human rights situation in the country in order to assist the Angolan authorities with the consolidation of their judicial system.

UNV Aboulaye Seye investigated violations of human rights and submitted cases to the Joint Commission, a political body that included Government, UNITA and UN Observer Mission representatives charged with the task of peace-building in Angola. Since December 1998, the Joint Commission is no longer able to monitor human rights complaints.

UNV Robert Wilkinson, a technician in microprocessors with community development experience, arrived in Kuito to assist Flamilia Minelli. Both UNVs were evacuated by air from Huambo scarcely two weeks after his arrival.

The Government of Angola has asked that the Human Rights Division continue its work even after the departure of the UN Observer Mission. If this is possible, a Centre for Documentation and Information on Human Rights managed by a group of Angolan NGOs will be set up.