Angola: Information on the status of a government order prohibiting the practice of religious activity outside of expressly approved locations
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 December 1996 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | AGO25606.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Angola: Information on the status of a government order prohibiting the practice of religious activity outside of expressly approved locations, 1 December 1996, AGO25606.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6acae1c.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to Country Reports for Human Rights Practices 1995, the constitution guarantees freedom of religion and respects it (1996. 5). However, the same source states that "in October the Government published an order prohibiting the practice of religious activity outside of expressly approved locations" and that the order appears to target "evangelical churches, but it was not clear at year's end how it would be enforced" (ibid.). The source does not define what "expressly approved locations" are.
A report on Angola in Documentation-Réfugies states that between 1977 and 1980 among the prisoners of conscience held without trial were many people belonging to various religious groups mostly Jehovahah's Witnessness and tokoïstes (29 Dec. - 7 Jan. 1991). This source also states that the constitution guarantees freedom of religion "to the extent that it does not disturb public order and does not conflict with the interest of the state"(ibid.).
A 6 July 1990 Radio Nacional de Angola report states that National Union for the Total Liberation of Angola (UNITA) carried out "hostile operations" against the Catholic Church (ibid.). On 28 June, UNITA reportedly destroyed the main Catholic Church in Huambo (ibid.). UNITA also allegedly abducted Alexandre do Nascimento, a cardinal who was bishop at the time (ibid.). For additional information on this topic, please consult the attached documents.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find attached the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1995. 1996. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.
Documentation-Réfugiés [Paris]. 29 December(7 January 1991. "Angola-Supplement Pays."
Radio Nacional de Angola [Luanda, in Portuguese]. 6 July 1990. "Angola Radio Comment on UNITA's "increased agression" Against Catholic Church." [BBC Summary in English, 10 July 1990] (NEXIS)
Attachments
Documentation-Réfugiés [Paris]. 29 December(January 1991. "Angola-Supplement Pays."
Radio Nacional de Angola [Luanda, in Portuguese]. 6 July 1990. "Angola Radio Comment on UNITA's "increased agression" Against Catholic Church." [BBC Summary in English, 10 July 1990] (NEXIS)