By KUNA,
Geneva : The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) announced Friday that it will cease its activities in Angola in the next few weeks.
The Angolan authorities had informed the Office of the High Commissioner that Angola will not sign a comprehensive agreement for human-rights promotion and protection activities in Angola.
Noting that Angola still faces many challenges on the human rights front, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour said she “respected but regretted” the Government’s decision not to proceed with the agreement that would have formally established OHCHR’s presence in Angola.
“We look forward to examining any fresh initiatives the Government may suggest in line with its voluntary pledge to the Human Rights Council to increase its cooperation with my office,” said Arbour.
The OHCHR in Angola has been requested to close its representation in the country by May 13, 2008.