Africa-Press – Angola. The Ombudsman’s Office recommends simplifying procedures for granting parole, said the institution’s top official, based on data from visits made to the country’s penitentiary establishments, marked by overcrowding and excessive preventive detention in some chains.
For the person responsible, these and others are common problems that occur in several prison establishments, noting the need to adopt mechanisms to simplify and speed up procedures to mitigate the situation.
“Taking into account the new Angolan Penal Code, I understand that, from an administrative point of view, it is necessary to simplify the procedures for granting parole, since the law does not introduce many bureaucratic rites”, stated Florbela Araújo.
The ombudsman stressed that, in terms of general conditions in establishments, it is necessary to improve them, especially those related to hospitalization, as well as those related to the limitation of the right to freedom, application of less serious measures, as alternatives to preventive detention of people who awaiting trial.
Florbela Araújo also defended that preventive detention deadlines should be respected and that coercive measures should be properly monitored.
Regarding the processes for resolving these problems, the provider assured that some recommendations were issued to entities, such as the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSMJ), Attorney General’s Office (PGR) and Ministry of the Interior, in order to take public measures , aiming to resolve irregularities.
Regarding this particular issue, Florbela Araújo reinforced that “the situation has been gradually mitigated”, pointing out that, regarding the entities’ reaction, recommendations were presented for more cooperation with the Ombudsman’s Office.
The person responsible acknowledged that there had been a gradual and progressive improvement in situations, caused by awareness around the role of the Ombudsman and understanding of the responsibilities of this body.
“The Ombudsman’s Office, in relation to the Public Ministry (MP), has recommended the adoption of measures that, in compliance with the Constitution and the Law, ensure the rights of citizens who find themselves in a situation of excessive prison term and awaiting the legitimate restitution of freedom, as well as acting with impartiality, objectivity and respect for the principles of legality, the presumption of innocence and the fundamental rights of citizens”, said Florbela Araújo.
According to the Ombudsman, the CSMJ has recommended, as a superior management and disciplinary body, intervention with the District Courts, so that the cessation of illegalities found in the visits carried out can be promoted.
In this context, Florbela Araújo highlighted that the Ombudsman’s Office, as an independent entity, has the legitimacy to promote, among other bodies, through a judiciary of influence, the legality and justice of the actions of public entities, especially in relations that they establish with citizens.
About the violation of Human Rights
Due to the violation of fundamental and human rights, the citizen’s rights defender informed that, in addition to the recommendations issued to correct irregularities, other concerns are also brought to the attention of other State authorities.
For this reason, ombudsman Florbela Araújo said that it has been possible to reach commitments to improve conditions in prisons and boost the search for policies and concrete actions in defense of the Human Rights of all citizens.
“At the institution level, the strengthening of interaction between the Ombudsman and other entities in charge of public policies on Human Rights is ensured, in accordance with the Paris Principles, reinforcing the power to issue recommendations in matters of rights, freedoms and fundamental guarantees”, he added.
Slow sentencing is a systemic problem
Regarding the issue of slow sentences, Florbela Araújo considered it essential that procedural policy finds a reasonable balance between the two requirements, namely speed and justice.
“The slowness in issuing sentences turns out to be a systemic problem. However, to mitigate the problem it is necessary to promote and use mechanisms of accountability, inspection and visits carried out to the courts, in order to encourage magistrates to act in compliance with the principles of economy and procedural speed”, said the Ombudsman. Florbela Araújo highlighted that, in order to implement the requirements, it is necessary for the State to create social and economic conditions for the Courts and for all operators of the Judicial System, increasing the number of technicians and magistrates to face the demand for cases.
New detention center
After defending the construction of a new Detention Center to house prisoners from the Luanda Central Prison (CCL), Florbela Araújo announced that a process of transferring inmates to other penitentiary establishments, such as Kakila and Calomboloca, is being planned, with the aim to respond to this concern.
“If there are more places, I can say that there will be better management and quality of care for inmates”, argued the Ombudsman, when complaining about overcrowding and excessive pre-trial detention in some jails in the country.
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