Since the launch of our action, there have been no further forced mass evictions in Luanda. However, some small scale evictions have taken place.

A law on Urban and Regional Planning was passed a few months ago, without much debate. In many ways this law is very much tied into the land law and suffers some of the same weaknesses. While the principles of “public consultation and participation” are mentioned in the preamble to the law, there are no mechanisms prescribed in the actual law to ensure that. It becomes another tool for the state to “manage” and attributes powers and authority without accountability.

Meanwhile, the actual land law is still with Parliament but has not yet been put on the agenda for voting. The revised Constitution is on the agenda now, but it will be a few months yet before it is approved.

AI will continue to monitor and promote the right to adequate housing in Angola.

Thank you to all who participated in this action.

Original appeal

11 March 2004