Freedom in the World 1998 - Cape Verde

1998 Scores

Status: Free
Freedom Rating: 1.5
Civil Liberties: 2
Political Rights: 1

Overview

Cape Verde continued to seek improvements to its people's very low living standards by pursuing privatization and seeking international investment from business and from the country's diaspora, which outnumbers the nation's current 400,000 inhabitants. The country appears to have made a firm transition to multiparty democracy, but extreme poverty has so far allowed no party to offer much material incentive for supporting constitutional rule. The government's austerity program is unpopular, but has drawn increased donor assistance. Very low voter turnout marked President Antonio Mascarenhas Monteiro's 1996 re-election to a second five-year term. His free market policies are also supported by Prime Minister Carlos Alberto Wahnon de Carvalho Veiga and the ruling Movement for Democracy (MPD), which holds 50 of 72 seats in the country's parliament. Veiga was injured in a plane crash in late September, but resumed his official duties a few days later.

Cape Verde achieved independence from Portugal in 1975, and, for 16 years, was governed under Marxist, one-party rule by the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde. The MPD won a landslide 1991 victory in the first democratic elections after Cape Verde became the first former Portuguese colony in Africa to abandon Marxist political and economic systems. In December 1995, the MPD was returned to power with 59 percent of the vote. The country's stagnant economy has been bolstered somewhat by increased exports and tourism, but infrastructure improvements are still needed to assist in private sector development. Located off West Africa's coast, Cape Verde is one of Africa's smallest and poorest lands. It has few exploitable natural resources and relies heavily on imported food. Foreign aid and remittances by Cape Verdean expatriates provide a large portion of national income. Cape Verde has enthusiastically joined Portugal's efforts to create a Lusophone commonwealth, and in 1998 hosted a meeting of representatives from Portuguese-speaking countries.

Political Rights and Civil Liberties

The president and members of the National People's Assembly, including six representatives chosen by citizens living abroad, are elected through universal suffrage in free and fair elections. Since the country's 1991 transition to multiparty democracy, Cape Verdeans have changed their government twice by democratic means. The 1992 constitution circumscribed the powers of the presidency, which was left with little authority beyond delaying ratification of legislation, proposing amendments, and dissolving parliament after a vote of no confidence. Referenda are permitted in some circumstances, but may not challenge civil liberties or the rights of opposition parties.

Human rights groups, including the National Commission of the Rights of Man and the Organization of Cape Verdean Women, operate freely. There are no reported political prisoners.

Reforms to strengthen an overburdened judiciary were implemented in 1998. Comprised of a Supreme Court and regional courts that generally adjudicate criminal and civil cases fairly, the judiciary is independent, although cases are frequently delayed. Free legal counsel is provided to indigents, defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and trials are public. Judges must lay charges within 24 hours of arrests. The police, which were controlled by the military until 1994, are now separate and answerable to civilian authority.

The freedoms of peaceful assembly and association are guaranteed and respected. The constitution requires the separation of church and state, and religious rights are respected in practice. The vast majority of Cape Verdeans belongs to the Roman Catholic Church.

Freedoms of expression and of the press are guaranteed and generally respected in practice. No authorization is needed to publish newspapers and other publications. The most widely read newspaper and radio and television broadcasts are state-controlled. Criticism of the government is limited by self-censorship resulting from citizens' fear of demotion or dismissal. National Assembly sessions, including sharp attacks by opposition members, are broadcast live via radio in their entirety. In March, however, the government closed Radio Comercial, which is partially owned by an opposition politician, on the contested claim of an improperly allocated frequency. In previous years, government officials have unsuccessfully sought to use libel charges to silence opposition newspapers.

Despite legal prohibitions against gender discrimination, as well as provisions for social and economic equality, discrimination against women persists. Many women do not know their rights or do not possess means to seek redress, especially in rural areas. Women receive less pay for equal work and are excluded from traditionally male professions. They are also subject to allegedly common, but seldom reported domestic violence. Serious concerns about child abuse and the prevalence of child labor persist. Campaigns to promote women's civil and human rights and awareness of child abuse have been mounted by local nongovernmental organizations with international assistance.

The right to unionize is constitutionally-protected, and workers may form and join unions without restriction. Two confederations, the Council of Free Labor Unions and the National Union of Cape Verde, include 25 unions with approximately 27,000 members.