To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of the attitude of the Government of Angola towards (a) a free press, (b) unbiased judiciary, (c) freedom for opposition groups to operate without harassment and (d) institutionalised corruption; and if he will make a statement. (151624)

In Angola there is an independent press and a few radio stations that are free to voice criticism of the Government. However, in the provinces the Government-run media largely dominates media coverage. There is only one independent nationwide broadcaster, Radio Vorgan (run by the main opposition party, União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola (UNITA).

The Government of Angola is taking measures to reform the judiciary and associated legislation, much of which pre-dates the civil war, which ended in 2002. Our embassy in Luanda has sponsored three projects in conjunction with the Bar Association of Angola to assist in the development of the judiciary. We welcome the Government’s introduction of a new press law, which is currently in preparation and will provide more scope for independent reporting. Both the Constitutional Law and the Penal Code are also under review.

There is complex legislation relating to the registration of political parties which is rigorously enforced. There are 12 opposition parties represented in Parliament. The UNITA congress is currently under way in Luanda and has received coverage in the independent and Government-run media. Representatives of other smaller political parties and members of the Diplomatic Corps have also attended the congress. We welcome the Government’s announcement that legislative and presidential elections will be held in 2008 and 2009 respectively and continue to monitor the political landscape closely.

The Government of Angola have taken several steps to improve transparency in public financial management. Internationally qualified auditors conduct rigorous cost and fiscal audits for all oil companies, including the national oil company, Sonangol. A new procurement law is being drafted. A Court of Auditors was created in 2001, which helps to review and audit public expenditure allocations and has handed down embezzlement sentences. However, much still needs to be done, not only on transparency of public financial management, but also on strengthening Government accountability to the people. We continue to encourage the Government of Angola to sign up to the principles of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.