Angola at 20th Human Rights Council Session

Geneva - Angola is attending in Geneva (Switzerland) the 20th session of the Human Rights Council, during which member states and observers will discuss matters contained in the high commissioner’s report on the Human Rights situation.

The Angolan delegation at the meeting, which unlike the previous one, will not have a high-level session, is being headed by Angolan permanent representative to the UN and International Organisations, in Geneva, ambassador Apolinario Correia.

Addressing the interactive debate, the Angolan ambassador mentioned a report presented by the assistant secretary-general for Human Rights during a visit to the town of Kamako, Eastern Kassai (DR Congo) that borders with the Angolan province of Lunda Norte.

The said report mentioned sexual violence and humiliating treatment, prolonged detentions and theft during the repatriation of illegal immigrants from the neighbouring DRC.

According tot Apolinário Correia, “these allegations are groundless and come from biased sources of information and witnesses.”

He spoke of the existence of a bilateral commission that gathers regularly and discusses all matters concerning illegal migrations and refugees between the two countries.

On the other hand, he said Angola is deeply concerned about the suspension of financings for some humanitarian and social programmes and appealed to the international community to maintain the funding for the said programmes, despite the world economic and financial crisis.

The Angolan delegation to the session going until July 16 includes attorneys, Foreign Affairs Ministry officials and members of the diplomatic mission in Geneva.

(2012-06-19/portalangop)