Téte António was speaking, from Luanda, at the 46th session of the Human Rights Council, which takes place one year after the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic, as he highlighted in his speech.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the aspirations for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are significantly compromised, including national efforts for the realization of human rights, as outlined in the 2030 Agenda.
The minister stressed that, despite the pandemic, the Government has not lost sight of the main objective of its national agenda, which is to improve the well-being and living conditions of Angolans.
"At the same time, the impact of restrictive measures adopted by the State on the realization of human rights was also felt, in particular in relation to the exercise of civil and political rights, forcing the State to take different measures with a view to guaranteeing respect, protection and defense of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the light of the new health context ", said the minister.
Regarding economic, social and cultural rights, the effects of the pandemic had mainly an impact on the fight against multidimensional poverty, having seriously pressured the informal sector of the economy, threatened food security and livelihoods.
Téte António reaffirmed Angola's commitment to the national and international human rights agenda, aware of the national challenges in this area, although the country has ended its third term as a member of the council.
"At the international level, Angola remains engaged in the fulfillment of its international obligations and in constructive cooperation with regional and international human rights mechanisms. Angola is also committed to implementing the accepted recommendations from the third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review", said the minister .
Regarding the fight against corruption, the diplomatic chief called "once again" for the full implementation and cooperation of member states of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, in order to facilitate the recovery of assets, necessary for financing development projects in the applicant countries ".
