Angola
In 2026, Angola is in a complex period of transition. While the government of President João Lourenço has recently been elected to the UN Human Rights Council (starting January 2026), this move has been met with skepticism from international monitors. The country is currently grappling with a "closing of civic space" through new restrictive laws, even as it signs international treaties to improve labor and social rights.
The primary human rights issues in Angola are:
1. Crackdown on Freedom of Assembly and Protest
Protests have become increasingly frequent due to the rising cost of living and the removal of fuel subsidies. The state response has been severe:
Excessive Force: Throughout 2025, police used tear gas, rubber bullets, and even live ammunition to disperse peaceful demonstrations. Reports from July 2025 indicated that clashes surrounding taxi strikes and fuel protests led to dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries.
The "Crimes of Vandalism" Act: Signed in late 2024, this law allows for prison sentences of up to 25 years for protesters if their actions are deemed to "vandalize" public services. Critics argue the law is so broad that it effectively criminalizes any public dissent that causes a minor disruption.
2. New National Security and NGO Restrictions
A major concern in 2026 is the legal "tightening" around civil society:
National Security Law: This 2024 legislation grants the government powers to intercept telecommunications and restrict internet services without a court order under "exceptional circumstances," raising significant privacy concerns.
Control of NGOs: New decrees (such as Decree 214/24) impose intrusive administrative requirements on non-profits, allowing the state to monitor their funding and internal operations, which many activists view as a tool to starve opposition groups of resources.
3. Police Brutality and Impunity
The security forces, particularly the National Police (PNA) and the Criminal Investigation Service (SIC), continue to face allegations of systemic abuse:
Extrajudicial Killings: Human rights groups have documented numerous cases of "summary executions" during police operations, particularly in diamond-mining regions like Lunda Norte.
Impunity: While some officers have been expelled for misconduct, high-ranking officials rarely face prosecution for the use of excessive force, leading to a persistent lack of trust in the justice system.
4. Socioeconomic Rights and Malnutrition
Angola faces a massive divide between its oil wealth and the reality of its citizens:
Child Malnutrition: As of 2026, nearly 38% of children in Angola suffer from chronic malnutrition. Severe droughts in southern provinces like Cunene and Huíla have displaced thousands, forcing many families to migrate to neighboring Namibia in search of food.
Economic Inequality: Angola remains one of the most unequal countries globally; the top 20% of the population earns nearly 60% of the national income, while the bottom 20% receives only about 3%.
5. Labor Rights: A Bright Spot?
In a rare positive development, Angola has moved to align itself with international labor standards:
ILO Ratifications: In mid-2025, Angola became the 50th country to ratify the Violence and Harassment Convention (No. 190) and completed the ratification of all ten fundamental International Labour Organization conventions.
New Labor Law: A 2024 General Labor Law made "indefinite term" contracts the default for employment, offering more job security, though small businesses have struggled with the new, higher minimum wage requirements.