Luanda - The Vice-President of Angola Esperança da Costa reaffirmed on Friday her country's commitment to democratic values, defense of human rights, freedom and the dignity of the human person.
Esperança da Costa, who was speaking at a human rights conference to mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights held under the slogan "Dignity, freedom and justice for all", said human rights impact must be felt in a practical and effective way in the lives of all citizens.
"We therefore need to ensure their defense, promotion and protection, with the involvement of public and private institutions, non-governmental organizations and, above all, society, which must take the principles of equality and respect for the dignity of the human person with the necessary seriousness," Costa said.
The Angolan Vice-President added that in 2020, the government approved the National Human Rights Strategy, with the aim to give national actors a greater role in promoting, defending and protecting human rights and safeguarding national sovereignty.
Esperança da Costa added that it is in this vision that human rights have been elevated "to the category of a matter of national security", with a permanent seat on the National Security Council, a body that consults the President of the Republic.
Human Rights Committees
Esperança da Costa highlighted the role of the Local Human Rights Committees, which are the core of the National Strategy, as they are bodies made up of civil society organizations, churches, traditional authorities and representatives of the Local State Administration, becoming the eyes and ears of Angolans in denouncing and following up those who attack human rights in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
The Vice-President explained that in three years 18 provincial human rights committees, 164 municipal committees and 87 communal committees have been set up.
"We can say that just over six years into this new era, Angolan society has experienced a healthier context, from the point of view of obedience to the law, ethics and good practice," Esperança Costa said.
Esperança Costa underlined that the institutionalization of the Local Human Rights Committees is a clear sign of the Angolan state's commitment to secure rights for all and strict respect for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The Constitution of the Republic of Angola states that "constitutional and legal norms relating to Fundamental Rights must be interpreted and integrated in harmony with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights". FMA/VIC/ADR/AMP
