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Experts of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Commend Angola on Moves to Develop Disability Legislation, Ask Questions on Accessibility and Inclusion in Decision-Making Processes
09 March 2023
The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities today concluded its consideration of the initial report of Angola on its implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Committee Experts commended moves made to establish legislation to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, while asking questions on accessibility and inclusion in decision-making processes.
Floyd Morris, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, noted that Angola had moved to establish legislation to protect the rights and the dignity of persons with disabilities. The Committee applauded progress made to implement the Convention over the past decade, but remained concerned about a compendium of issues affecting persons with disabilities.
Samuel Njuguna Kabue, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, said there was no support from the State for persons with disabilities and especially those with visual impairment to access information, communication and new technologies. The few who had technological devices, including computers with screen readers or smart phones, had obtained them on their own. There were very few sign language interpreters and no arrangements had been made by the State to provide interpreters’ services to deaf people in learning institutions and public places. The State had not indicated that it intended to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty.
Mr. Kabue said that organisations of persons with disabilities did not participate in decision-making processes, even on issues concerning persons with disabilities, and were not consulted on the services provided for them. Another Committee Expert asked about measures taken to support the establishment of organisations of persons with disabilities, and to ensure the participation of such organisations in the design and implementation of policies regarding disability?
Introducing the report, Alcina Lopes Da Cunha Kindanda, Secretary of State for Family and Women’s protection, Ministry of Social Action, Family and Women’s Protection of Angola and head of the delegation, said an accessibility law establishing the general standards, conditions and accessibility criteria for people with disabilities had been approved. This law had created the Angolan sign language interpretation service, which provided interpretation in the media and civic education programmes. Accessible ballot boxes had been installed in polling stations during the electoral period.
The delegation said Angola would host a Huawei technology centre, the second largest in southern Africa. It would produce mobiles, laptops, computers, televisions especially designed for persons with disabilities, improving the quality of services provided to them. The Government was also collecting experts’ opinions regarding accession to the Marrakesh Treaty. After this process was completed, a proposal would be submitted to Parliament for approval. The Government was following the same procedure for the accession to the Salamanca Statement.
The Government had provided financial and material support to some associations of persons with disabilities. In the period from 2020 to 2022, three non-governmental organizations had received more than 250 million kwanzas, equivalent to half a million United States dollars. The delegation further noted that organizations of persons with disabilities participated actively in the forum for civil society organizations.
In concluding remarks, Ms. Da Cunha Kindanda thanked the Committee and the rapporteurs for the high-quality discussion. Angola was implementing national plans and strategies covering a whole range of areas supporting the empowerment and independence of persons with disabilities. Angola was committed to materialising these integrated policies using pluriannual plans. The State would continue to pursue increased participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes, and cooperate with the United Nations in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities.
In concluding remarks, Floyd Morris, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, said that, despite the growing number of relevant laws approved by the State party, persons with leprosy, albinism, women and girls with disability in particular continued to see their fundamental rights violated. Consistent consultation with the community of persons with disabilities by the State party would result in more efficacious implementation of the Convention. There should be a gallant effort to eradicate the conflict between the human rights approach adopted by the State party and the welfare and medical approaches entrenched in broader society.
The delegation of Angola consisted of representatives of the Ministry of Social Action, Family and Women’s Promotion; Ministry of External Relations; Ministry of Justice and Human Rights; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Youth and Sports; Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication; Ministry of the Environment; Ministry of Economy and Planning; Ministry of Culture and Tourism; Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Public Administration, Labor and Social Security; Ministry of Interior; Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation; Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources; Ministry of Superior Education, Science, Technology and Innovation; and Ministry of Agriculture; National Police; Housing Development Fund; the Ombudsman's Office; Civil Office of the President of the Republic; National Children's Institute; Angolan Association for the Rights and Inclusion of Women with Disabilities; Angolan Federation of the Association of Persons with Disabilities; and the Permanent Mission of Angola to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
All the documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage. Webcasts of the meetings of the session can be found here, and meetings summaries can be found here.
The Committee will next meet in public at 3 p.m., Thursday 9 March to begin its consideration of the initial report of Georgia (CRPD/C/GEO/1).
Report
The Committee has before it the initial report of Angola (CRPD/C/AGO/1).
Presentation of Report
ALCINA LOPES DA CUNHA KINDANDA, Secretary of State for Family and Women’s protection, Ministry of Social Action, Family and Women’s Protection of Angola and head of the delegation, said that since the achievement of effective peace in 2022, Angola had become a peaceful country committed to stability and the promotion and protection of human rights. Angola had acceded to and ratified the Convention and initiated the process of monitoring the implementation of the Convention and preparation of the Report. The Intersectoral Commission for the Preparation of National Reports on Human Rights had coordinated the drafting of the initial report for the period 2014 to 2016, with the participation of different civil society organizations. Seven years since the submission of the initial report, new challenges had emerged, which had led the Angolan Government to develop actions that ensure greater social inclusion of people with disabilities. There were 656,258 people with disabilities in the country, representing 2.5 per cent of the total population; more than 50 per cent lived in urban areas. Physical disability was the most common. Among people with disabilities, 56 per cent were men and 44 per cent were women. Of these, 46 per cent were between 25 and 64 years old. The next general census would be held in 2024.
Angola had made improvements in relation to the social inclusion of people with disabilities. An accessibility law establishing the general standards, conditions and accessibility criteria for people with disabilities had been approved. This law had created the Angolan sign language interpreter, which provided interpretation in the media and civic education programmes, with emphasis on communication during the pandemic. Accessible ballot boxes had been installed in polling stations during the electoral period. Progress had been made in the areas of special education, transport, health and physical rehabilitation, and work and employment. A study called "More Inclusion" aimed to measure the number of people with disabilities and women in the labour market. Of the 493 institutions targeted by the study in the Province of Luanda, access to employment had been identified for a total of 318 people with disabilities. This study would examine all provinces of the country. Further, 245 people with disabilities, including 145 men and 98 women, had been included in the Action Plan for the Promotion of Employability. These people had benefited from professional kits and microcredit to finance income-generating activities.
In the period between 2017 and 2022, 14 housing projects had been built, which had benefited 980 people with disabilities. In the period 2018 to 2022, 1,928 people with disabilities had been trained in several professional courses. The Government, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, had launched programmes encouraging people with disabilities to practice sports. 2,889 people with disabilities had been enrolled in sports. In 2020, the Special Olympics Angola project had been created to support people with intellectual disabilities. Infrastructures in Angola were designed taking into account the conditions of people with disabilities. Access ramps, toilets, adapted changing rooms, elevators and wheelchair-specific areas were constructed. Some long-standing sports infrastructures had also been adapted to facilitate accessibility. In 2022, the Government had launched a public tender for the construction of an integrated high-performance training complex, which would be delivered to the Angolan Paralympic Committee.
The Government had provided financial and material support to some associations of persons with disabilities, particularly those who enjoyed the Public Utility Statute. In the period from 2020 to 2022, three non-governmental organizations had received more than 250 million kwanzas, equivalent to half a million United States dollars. The Angolan Government had ratified the Additional Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa, as well as submitted reports to treaty bodies and received visits from special procedures mandate holders.
There was a high number of landmines in Angola resulting from the long period of armed conflict. Road accidents had sped out of control in recent years. They represented the leading cause of disability in Angola and the second leading cause of death. Angola had joined the United Nations campaign on traffic safety. The Governance Plan 2023-2027 aimed to raise citizens’ awareness of people with disabilities in the social life of the country, establish mechanisms for collecting data and reporting cases of discrimination, and ensure support and reintegration of families with disabilities. Angola reiterated its commitment to the Committee, the 2030 Development Agenda and the African Agenda 2063.
Questions by Committee Experts
SAMUEL NJUGUNA KABUE, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, said the Committee appreciated the steps taken to realise the rights of persons with disabilities in the State party, including preparing a State report, responding to the Committee’s list of issues and engaging in the dialogue. The Committee had identified areas in which work on implementing the Convention needed to be taken further.
Organisations of persons with disabilities did not participate in decision-making, even on issues concerning persons with disabilities, and were not consulted on the services provided for them. There was no accessible mechanism to file a report on discrimination, no option to raise a complaint with the Government, and no means to seek redress. If such mechanisms or means of redress existed, persons with disabilities were not aware of them. No specific measures had been put in place for the protection of women and girls from violence and abuse. Cases of sterilisations at the request of carers and female genital mutilation had been reported. No empowerment programmes were in place for persons with disabilities. Stigma and discrimination of persons with disabilities and in particular people with psychosocial disabilities still existed. There was no awareness-raising programme on their rights, responsibility or capability, which explained why they were discriminated against.
There was no support from the State for persons with disabilities and especially those with visual impairment to access information, communication and new technologies. The few who had technological devices, including computers with screen readers or smart phones, had obtained them on their own. There were very few sign language interpreters and no arrangements had been made by the State to provide interpreters’ services to the deaf people in learning institutions and public places. There was no protection for person with albinism, who suffered from poor access to solar protection, poor access to treatment for their vision, skin cancers and other health problems. They could not pass the test to obtain a driving licence. People with leprosy were isolated and left to the care of non-governmental organisations.
Investigators, prosecutors, judges and other professionals did not have the training necessary to deal with persons with disabilities. There was no provision for procedural accommodation in courts and translation in Angolan sign language was not provided. The State had not indicated that it intended to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty to allow for the provision of print materials for the blind and other alternative means of communication for persons with disabilities. Although there was a quota system in the employment of persons with disabilities, there were no sanctions for employers in the public or private sector who did not adhere.
No social benefit or social protection scheme was in place for persons with disabilities. Reportedly, most persons with disabilities had no livelihoods and many were in the streets begging. Public participation was limited to voting, however voting stations were inaccessible and there was a lack of information and voting materials in accessible formats. There was no clear mechanism for the monitoring of the Convention. The Ombudsman’s office had not been effective and did not involve persons with disabilities in its work. Most persons with disabilities were not even aware of its monitoring role.
FLOYD MORRIS, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, said discrimination was addressed in the Constitution, yet certain categories of persons with disabilities were excluded in anti-discrimination legislation. What measures had been taken to ensure that all categories of people were included in anti-discrimination legislation? What measures were being taken to ensure meaningful consultation with persons with disabilities, and to ensure that persons with disabilities had greater access to modern technologies?
A Committee Expert asked about Angola’s strategy and plans of action to amend the Persons with Disabilities Act and adopt a human rights model of disability and harmonise legislation. What measures were in place to ensure all forms of discrimination on disability were prevented? What mechanisms were in place to monitor the implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act? Were standards and guidelines on the accessibility of facilities and services provided to the public?
Another Committee Expert asked about measures taken to support the establishment of organisations of persons with disabilities. Could the delegation inform about the steps taken to ensure their participation in the design and implementation of policies regarding disability? Who ran these organisations? What measures had been taken to combat stigma, bullying, hate crimes and other negative attitudes against persons with disabilities?
One Committee Expert, citing the use of the word “abnormality”, referred to acceptable language according to the Convention and the United Nations inclusive language guidelines. How was that terminology interpreted and identified by relevant executive entities and by judges? Why was “prevention of disability” included in article 83 of the Constitution? This could hinder the acceptance of disability as human diversity. Why was such a specific expression used in the Constitution and not in public health law for example? What steps had been taken to protect women with disability from myths jeopardising their bodily integrity? To what extent were the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women available in local languages? What was being done to make buildings fully accessible to persons with disabilities?
ROSEMARY KAYESS, Committee Expert and Vice-Chair, asked if persons with disabilities were provided with a mechanism to submit claims of discrimination from State and non-State actors? What type of remedies were envisioned? What actions were taken to address skin cancer and the lower life expectancy of people with albinism?
AMALIA GAMIO RIOS, Committee Expert and Vice-Chair, asked about actions to prevent discrimination against persons with leprosy, to counter stereotypes and to reduce stigma. In the National Development Plan 2018-2022, did Angola have measures for combating leprosy? How did Angola plan to implement a discrimination complaints mechanism and guarantee the independence of such a mechanism from the Government? How would the State party ensure responses to violations of human rights?
GERTRUDE OFORIWA FEFOAME, Committee Chair, asked what measures had been put in place to adopt an adequately resourced roadmap to implement relevant law to prevent and address the multiple and intersectional discrimination women faced? What efforts had been made to monitor and ensure the accessibility of programmes for women and girls with disabilities?
ODELIA FITOUSSI, Committee Expert and Vice-Chair, asked for information about programmes to prevent violence. What support was provided for victims?
VIVIAN FERNÁNDEZ DE TORRIJOS, Committee Rapporteur, asked how many children with disabilities had benefited from intervention strategies promoting their inclusion in society.
A Committee Expert referred to difficulties moving during the rainy season faced by persons with disabilities. What measure were in place to avoid this situation and facilitate accessible public transportation for persons with disabilities?
Responses by the Delegation
The act pertaining to persons with disabilities was approved in 2012, one year after Angola ratified the Convention. It was necessary to bring certain concepts in line with the Convention. Angola’s protection strategy recognized the Angola Federation of the Association of Persons with Disabilities, involving it in discussions of inclusion policies. On reasonable accommodation, a law on accessibility was approved in 2016. In some areas, accessible facilities were being put in place. The Angolan Executive was gathering opinions from Ministries regarding accession to the Marrakesh Agreement, a process that should be concluded within this year.
An article in the Constitution ensured access to health and medical assistance. The number of persons with leprosy had fallen well below 1,000 in certain provinces. Campaigns had been launched aiming at raising awareness and addressing stigma and discrimination. The leprosy programme had provided free treatment; in 2018, around 20,000 people were cured of leprosy. In 2021, Angola received a visit from the Special Rapporteur on Leprosy. June 3 was Albinism Awareness Day. Angola did not yet have a strategic plan on albinism, something the country was working on. However, all strategic plans were aligned with the Agenda 2063 in the area of albinism. The Ministry of Health had distributed protection kits. A national cancer institute provided support to those affected by skin cancer.
Angola had mechanisms for denouncing violence against children and a hotline channelled calls to a victim support institute, medical services and police. Angola had been working with a number of non-governmental organizations supporting children with disabilities. Some legal instruments had been adopted setting standards on children’s rights and ensuring appropriate attention to victims of violence. Training had been provided to professionals working with children and their families.
The Constitution allowed for the standards in the Convention and the additional protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa to be invoked in courts. If a person with a disability had suffered violations of their human rights, certain complaints mechanisms could be used. Reference was made to “non-binding measures” and the Ombudsman’s office. A dispute settlement mechanism, including arbitration and providing free legal aid to all citizens, including persons with disabilities, was in place. The Angolan Bar Association provided legal counsel to those who could not pay for a lawyer. Other legal mechanisms were also in place. Angola had been monitoring the performance of its courts. Further to the non-binding mechanisms, a new criminal code from 2020 could be invoked. Organizations of persons with disabilities participated actively in the forum for civil society organizations. Angola had recorded no cases of female genital mutilation, which was not a cultural tradition. Such practices were punished by the criminal code. Over the past five years in Angola, the number of non-governmental organisations had increased from 300 to 1,000. A medical board analysed each individual case to recognise disability and its level. Angola had appropriate remedies when discrimination had been proved.
The Angolan Government was committed to conducting public consultation towards establishing a food security system. Angola aimed to eradicate hunger by 2030. Projects were in place to support persons with disabilities to grow a range of crops and products.
Angola was working with the order of architects to adapt buildings in line with the new accessibility law. A presidential decree had established that in all housing projects built with public funds, the five per cent quota for provision to people with disabilities be ensured. Angola attached great importance to the empowerment of women and girls; 40 to 50 per cent of members of the Government and two presidents of the judicial bodies were women, as an example. Angola had become aware of the importance of delivering accessible information, including in the media, in official governmental communications and the general election. This included, but was not limited to, sign language interpretation.
ALCINA LOPES DA CUNHA KINDANDA, Secretary of State for Family and Women’s protection, Ministry of Social Action, Family and Women’s Protection of Angola and head of the delegation, said that inclusive policies and plans were in place to end discrimination against women and girls. Instruments were in place to address domestic violence, implement the Security Council resolution on women, peace and security, promote gender equality, and combat teenage pregnancies and early marriages. The Ministry of Social Action and the Advancement of Women and Family had been interacting with associations to include women with disabilities and draft public policies. The multisectoral council for gender, equity and equality dealt with women’s participation in decision making at all levels. Vocational programmes had been implemented in multiples regions and sectors. A programme financed by the United Nations Population Fund dealt with issues relating to sexual and reproductive health of women and girls. Studies on teen pregnancies would be carried out to identify the real needs of women and girls, including women and girls with disabilities.
Follow-Up Questions by Committee Experts
FLOYD MORRIS, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, said that based on the dialogue with the State party, several initiatives had been designed to improve the lives of persons with disabilities. There seemed to be a gap between what the State party was seeing and the information that the Committee was receiving from reports. Was there going to be better communication to ensure the initiatives of the Government were filtered to persons with disabilities, so they could give feedback on issues concerning them? The COVID-19 pandemic had posed an existential threat to all. How many persons with disabilities had been affected by COVID-19 and how many had received a vaccine? What measures were in place to ensure that persons with disabilities had access to justice; and to ensure members of the legal profession were trained to interact with persons with disabilities? Was reasonable accommodation provided for persons with disabilities in the justice system? What measure were in place to prevent persons with disabilities from being subject to degrading treatment? Could more information be provided on persons with disabilities who had gone missing? Were citizens of Angola made aware that violence and abuse of persons with disabilities constituted violations of their fundamental freedom? Was there specific budgetary allocation for mobility aids for persons with disabilities and how many had been assisted with mobility aids on an annual basis?
SAMUEL NJUGUNA KABUE, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, asked about legal assistance for persons with disabilities who had cases in court. Could more information be provided on training for members of the justice system to understand and address the rights of persons with disabilities? How was the State addressing the right of persons with disabilities to live independently?
A Committee Expert asked about guardianship laws that deprived legal capacity. For how long were persons subjected to guardianship? Could the delegation provide information on measures promoting deinstitutionalisation as well as on budget allocated for support services?
A Committee Expert said that having doctors identify disability based on levels of severity or degrees was against the right-based approach and the inclusive definition of disability given in the Convention. To what extent were the rights of persons with disabilities to vote and participate in political life protected? What steps had been taken to ensure persons with disability had independent access to justice? There was a lack of information on the mental health situation in the country. Was forced hospitalisation legal for persons with psychosocial disabilities? What steps were taken to promote registration of children with disabilities in rural areas?
A Committee Expert asked if courts had ever decided on issues relating to disabilities. If so, could the delegation provide data and information? Did Angola have a body addressing violence against persons with disabilities? What measures were in place to eliminate detention of persons with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities?
AMALIA GAMIO RIOS, Committee Expert and Vice-Chair, asked if anti-discrimination programs targeted women and girls with disabilities. Did Angola promote formal employment for women and girls with disabilities? What psychiatric supervisory mechanism was in place to prevent solitary confinement and other mechanisms of torture? Could victims file complaints and how were these followed up? Persons with disabilities were also victims of trafficking. How were complaints followed up on? Were remedies provided?
A Committee Expert asked how Angola was employing mechanisms to ensure the required range of individualised support was available to persons with disabilities?
VIVIAN FERNÁNDEZ DE TORRIJOS, Committee Rapporteur, asked about the existing legal measures that were open to persons with disabilities so their mobility could be improved? How was Angola going to improve the mobility of children students with disabilities?
A Committee Expert asked for information about the participation of women with disability in decision-making mechanisms. Were there people with psychosocial or other disabilities who were admitted to hospitals against their will?
GERTRUDE OFORIWA FEFOAME, Committee Chair, asked about inclusive development programmes mentioned by the delegation. What was the number of women and girls with disabilities who had experienced violence and abused? What mechanisms had been leveraged to provide redress?
A Committee Expert asked about measures to ensure that the views of children with disabilities were considered on issues regarding them. Did the State party have any strategy to raise awareness on the rights of persons with disabilities and combat negative stereotypes?
Responses by the Delegation
The National Council for Social Action resulted from the merger of the national council of persons with disabilities and the national councils of children with disabilities. It was a social coordination body, promoting and defending the rights of persons with disabilities, their families and other vulnerable groups. This council comprised of members of 17 national departments, and other national and international associations or agencies. The Council had a specialized council on persons with disabilities. Organizations of persons with disabilities took part in the work of the Council. The Angola Federation of Associations of Persons with Disabilities was recognized by the Council as a strategic partner. The Government held a dialogue with the Association of Persons with Disabilities, which had been ongoing since 2011. In 2023, 1,172,000 euros had been earmarked for the purchase of assistive devices. Assistive devices had been distributed free of charge in the country. In addition to the Accessibility Act, which had standards for accessibility and conditioned mobility, accessibility had been improved through architectural adjustments and the provision of certain equipment.
The Network of Mental Health Services had been rolled out in six provinces. A Ministry of Health plan for 2021 to 2025 had strengthened the network of mental health services, focusing on primary health care units, training staff, providing medicines free of charge, incorporating prevention activities and diagnosis treatment and patient support. Awareness-raising activities on mental health and combating stigma were also being carried out with the support of civil society. A protocol had been drawn up to help collect data. A mental health strategy was being drafted with the support of multiple agencies and organizations. Health centres did not impose hospitalization. The medical board assessed hospitalisations using appropriate administrative procedures. Those who did not have legal capacity would be represented by families. Over 24 million COVID-19 vaccine doses were distributed, covering 81 per cent of the population for the first dose and 45 per cent for the second dose. Disaggregated data was not available yet on how many persons with disability had been vaccinated or had passed away. There were 102 treatment units for patients with leprosy. A Japanese foundation provided 60 staff with training on reducing the impact of leprosy, which improved staff performance significantly. There was no stigma in Angola against persons with albinism, who were represented at all levels in society.
The National Police Force was a permanent and a non-party political force. Torture, including against persons with disabilities, was prohibited by law. Twelve citizens with disabilities were currently held in Angola’s prisons facilities. National civic protection mechanisms were in place.
Organizations of persons with disabilities were included in the participatory budget and were consulted with when adopting the State budget. On missing persons with a disability, a national commission for supporting victims of the political conflict had been established. Angola worked with the Committee on Enforced Disappearances on a specific case, which was resolved. With regards to safeguards on access to justice, persons with disabilities that were unable to obtain legal representation were supported by the legal aid scheme. Awareness raising campaigns had been pursued on harmful cultural practices. Custody could be removed if guardians engaged in such practices, and hotlines had been established to support victims.
On the issue of remote schools, the Education Ministry had raised awareness that people could register children in their local institutions. A pilot project had been launched to make mobility financially more accessible for persons with disabilities.
In all housing projects built with public funds, five per cent had to be set aside for persons with disabilities. Between 2017 and 2022, 14 neighbourhoods had been built, and 980 public housing units had been provided to persons with disabilities to date. In some regions, that share was even higher. Informal labour practices did not concern persons with disabilities only. The national statistics institute collected a range of data on the situation of persons with disabilities.
Solid steps had been taken on media, communications, information technology and accessibility and digital inclusion. Angola had three main mobile phone operators and Internet providers. Eight out of 30 million persons in the country had access to the Internet. Within the next four years, the Government was expecting that 13-14 million would have access. A digital inclusion programme had been launched. Angola would host a Huawei technology centre, the second largest in southern Africa. It would produce mobiles, laptops, computers and televisions especially designed for persons with disabilities, improving the quality of services provided to them.
ALCINA LOPES DA CUNHA KINDANDA, Secretary of State for Family and Women’s protection, Ministry of Social Action, Family and Women’s Protection of Angola and head of the delegation, said the national children’s institution was a key player in the protection of children against violence. The Government had set up a priority agenda for protecting children through 11 commitments, which included preventing and combating violence against children and establishing a specific hotline. Counselling services for victims of violence had been operationalized. Support services, churches and the police were partners. Victims were referred to specific focal points depending on the type of violence. An executive plan to combat domestic violence, a multisectoral committee, family counselling centres, and an emergency hotline had been created.
Questions by Committee Experts
FLOYD MORRIS, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, thanked the delegation and said he was available to have a discussion on missing persons. What steps had been put in place to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty to ensure persons who were blind had access to reading material? What measures were in place to ensure all educational institutions moved towards the establishment of an inclusive education system and that reasonable accommodation was guaranteed? What measures were in place to protect persons with leprosy and prevent their families from isolating them? Quota systems were in place for the employment of persons with disabilities in private and public sectors, with penalties specific only to the private sector. What measure were in place to ensure penalties in the public sector? Were persons with disabilities represented in the Parliament and what support did they receive to ensure full and inclusive participation?
SAMUEL NJUGUNA KABUE, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, asked about measures in place to guarantee that persons with disabilities exercised their right of freedom of movement and the right to choose their place of residence on an equal basis with others. What measures were in place to guarantee that migrants, refugees and asylum seekers with disabilities in retention or detention centres were provided with appropriate support, reasonable accommodation and that relevant migration decision-making procedures were accessible to them? How was privacy guaranteed? Could more information be provided on measures taken to ensure the effects of land mines were mitigated, as far as causing disabilities are concerned? What measure were in place to facilitate persons with disabilities’ access to places of leisure and recreation? How were persons with disabilities specifically involved in international cooperation discussions, particularly on matters that concerned them?
AMALIA GAMIO RIOS, Committee Expert and Vice-Chair, asked if anti-domestic violence programmes and the national policy of gender equality included women and girls with disabilities? How many women with disabilities held public office? Was there a supervisory mechanism in psychiatric hospitals to prevent coercion, confinement or other forms of torture? Were complaints followed up? Persons with disabilities and persons with leprosy faced discrimination regarding access to health care. What measure were in place to correct these situations? There were 40 associations of persons with disabilities but only four received funding. What functions did the organisations of the national council for social actions carry out?
A Committee Expert asked how Angola secured free and informed consent from persons with disabilities before they were hospitalised. It was very good to hear the political will regarding inclusion. Persons with disabilities were ineligible to vote if a medical certificate indicated that they had psychosocial disability. Why was this?
VIVIAN FERNÁNDEZ DE TORRIJOS, Committee Rapporteur, asked if pre-school education was inclusive. Children with disabilities were not accepted in nursery schools so they spent years at home before they could start education. This had an adverse impact on mothers and families also. Two per cent of the population had a disability according to State statistics, but this rate was far lower than the global average rate. When would the State conduct a survey to detect persons with disabilities that was in line with international standards.
A Committee Expert said there were no measures for reasonable accommodation nor budgetary resources to support students in university education. Students with disabilities reportedly could not access some courses, such as law, medicine, languages and history. What measure were in place to ensure students could access the courses they wanted to?
ROSEMARY KAYESS, Committee Expert and Vice-Chair, asked if the designation of the Ombudsman as the National Human Rights Institution had been completed. Were the functions of the Office set within the standards of the Paris Principles? Had Angola sought accreditation from the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions?
A Committee Expert asked about disaggregated data on disabilities caused by road accident? What healthcare and social benefits did they accede to? What measures were in place to promote inclusive education and employment?
ODELIA FITOUSSI, Committee Expert and Vice-Chair, asked people were informed of services for parents of children with disabilities in central cities and in the peripheries?
GERTRUDE OFORIWA FEFOAME, Committee Chair, expressed appreciation for the references to the legislation available on women with disabilities. What measures were in place to promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities, especially in the labour market? What steps were taken to improve their working conditions and establish an obligation to provide reasonable accommodation?
Workplace discrimination on the ground of disability was prohibited and punishable. What data was available in this regard? Was there any public record in the last two years to show the numbers of offenders? What mechanisms were available to show compliance? What steps were in place to promote the inclusion of persons injured by landmines in services, policies and programmes affecting their wellbeing?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said a law on education guaranteed universal and free primary education. A national policy was put in place, aiming to promote inclusivity. Children with disabilities could be included in preschool education, and there had been a very low number of complaints regarding access. A plan to support preschool education had been established. Access to higher education in Angola was regulated by presidential decree, and inspections were being carried out regularly to verify compliance with the access quotas for higher education. Three per cent or places were reserved for persons with disabilities. Scholarships were provided to support students, including those with disabilities, in higher education.
The Government was collecting experts’ opinions regarding accession to the Marrakesh Treaty. After this process was completed, a proposal would be submitted to Parliament for approval. The Government was following the same procedure for the accession to the Salamanca Statement. Angola had been working with the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council and the Committee, striving to ensure that international cooperation programmes were inclusive. The Government had also aligned with African Union instruments.
Statistical data on persons with disabilities would be updated in Angola’s population household survey, which would be conducted next year. A pilot census would be launched this year. Angola was going to use an online system for the first time to collect data more efficiently. Technical tools were being developed to disseminate data. Angola had ratified the African Charter on Statistics.
Angola had registered 8,432 persons who had acquired a disability due to the explosion of land mines. The national agency for mine action had been supporting these people. Actions had been taken to improve their inclusion and rehabilitation. In view of the needs detected, the victims were then placed on training courses for entry into the labour market.
The National Council for Social Action was amending regulations regarding its organisations’ operations. The umbrella organization had been monitoring the process to make sure it was participatory. Several campaigns countrywide had been put in place to eradicate stigma and promote accessibility. Social action centres to foster social protection had been established across the country and were working with local communities. The Ombudsman’s Office was an independent entity that should investigate citizens’ complaints and issue recommendations to State authorities. The aim was to establish the Ombudsman’s Office as the National Human Rights Institution. This was an ongoing process, and the Government was currently waiting on experts’ opinions. The Federal Association of Persons with Disabilities was directly involved in procedures for allocating public housing.
In 2021, 1,019 road accidents had been recorded, resulting in 221 deaths and 1,077 injuries. In 2022, there had been 1,113 accidents, 250 deaths and 1,308 injuries. The Angola State was very concerned about this issue. The Vice President had taken charge of a council monitoring the situation of road accidents in the country. The Government was working on policies to lower the number of road accidents. It also had not heard of cases of persons with disabilities held in temporary immigration facilities. Most central and provincial hospitals had an office to receive complaints from patients and their families.
On psychiatric hospitals, it was noted that a team of doctors assessed whether a patient should remain hospitalised. Angola hosted treatment centres for persons with leprosy. Programmes to support access to sport, leisure and recreational activities were listed.
Two constitutional provisions guaranteed that the norms of international human rights conventions had constitutional ranking, meaning that they were prioritised if they any other norms that might run against them. This would rule out norms that clash with the principle of the dignity of the human person.
Closing Statements
ALCINA LOPES DA CUNHA KINDANDA, Secretary of State for Family and Women’s protection, Ministry of Social Action, Family and Women’s Protection of Angola and head of the delegation, thanked the Committee and the rapporteurs for the high-quality discussion. Angola was implementing national plans and strategies covering a whole range of areas supporting the empowerment and independence of persons with disabilities. It was also focused on promoting quality education for all; promoting inclusion in schools, employment and sport activities, among other areas; strengthening social protections for persons with disabilities and their families; and promoting equality and non-discrimination. Angola was committed to materializing these integrated policies using pluriannual plans. It was vital to disseminate information so that persons with disabilities were aware of their rights. Angola would continue to pursue increased participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes, and cooperate with the United Nations in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities. It would take note of the recommendations of United Nations treaty bodies in this regard. The role and the work of the civil society was recognised.
FLOYD MORRIS, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, thanked the members of the Angolan delegation for the rich and frank discussion. Over the past two day, the Committee had taken careful note of several achievements and challenges delignated by the State party. Members of the Committee had noted that Angola had moved to establish legislation to protect the rights and the dignity of persons with disabilities. State parties should ensure diligent implementation of the Convention. Members of the Committee applauded progress made to implement the Convention over the past decade, but remained concerned about a compendium of issues affecting persons with disabilities. Despite the growing number of relevant laws approved by the State party, persons with leprosy, albinism, women and girls with disability in particular continued to see their fundamental rights violated. Most egregious was the reported case of a missing person with a disability. There was an established relationship between unemployment and poverty. More needed to be done to educate persons with disabilities in an inclusive education system and include them in the labour market. Consistent consultation with the community of persons with disabilities by the State party would result in more efficacious implementation of the Convention. There should be a gallant effort to eradicate the conflict between the human rights approach adopted by the State party and the welfare and medical approaches entrenched in broader society.
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