A copy of a general amnesty law adopted on 15 November 2000 [AGO38544.E]

No information on a general amnesty law adopted on 15 November 2000 could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

However, various sources refer to a general amnesty law adopted on 29 November 2000 by the Angolan parliament (United Nations Nov.-Dec. 2000; Africa Confidential 8 Dec. 2000; Country Reports 2000 2001 section 1e.; BBC 1 Dec. 2000; AFP 29 Nov. 2000).

According to United Nations report,

On November 29 [2000], the Angolan National Assembly passed by an overwhelming majority President dos Santos' proposed legislation that grants amnesty to all those who lay down their arms. The law passed with 112 votes in favor, 16 against and 13 abstentions. Under the new law, amnesty will be granted to all individuals who have committed crimes against humanity in armed conflict, if they renounce war. The legislation also grants amnesty to offenders of petty crimes (Nov.-Dec. 2000).

Country Reports 2000 noted that:

On November 24 [2000], the MPLA introduced a general amnesty bill to the National Assembly, which was approved on November 29 [2000]. Although the non-Savimbi faction of UNITA introduced its own version, it later withdrew the proposal. The bill requires a voluntary request for amnesty by any individual and covers national security crimes, honesty (defamation), military crimes and common crimes. The bill also includes a 90-day period during which an individual is allowed to request amnesty. The bill was not implemented formally by year's end; however, many prisoners were released under its provisions during the year (2001, section 1e.).

Please see attachment for the copy of the Amnesty Law approved on 29 November 2000 by the Angolan National Assembly and in force on 15 December 2000.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate 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 below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References


Africa Confidential [London]. 8 December 2000. Vol. 4, No. 24. "Angola: Pretence of Normality: The Ruling MPLA Offers the Rebels Amnesty But No Talks."

Agence France Presse (AFP). 29 November 2000. "Angolan Parliament Passes Amnesty Law." http://wwww.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/s/27369178B17A27E2852569A6007443B6 [Accessed 12 Feb. 2002]

BBC News. 1 December 2000. "Angolan Rebels Reject Government Amnesty." http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_1047000/1047655.stm [Accessed 12 Feb. 2002]

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2000. 2001. United States Department of State. Washington, DC. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2000/af/658.htm [Accessed 13 Feb. 2002]
Embassy of the Republic of Angola, Ottawa. 18 February 2002. A copy of Amnesty Law (Law 7/00) of December 15. Official Gazette of the Republic (Official Organ of the Republic of Angola), p. 4.