Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Angola (Ratification: 2001)

Article 3 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. Clause (a). Sale and trafficking of children. The Committee previously noted that section 19(2) of Act No. 3 of 2014 (on offences related to money laundering and organized crime) treats as a criminal offence the offering, provision, acceptance, transportation, reception or accommodation of a minor for sexual or labour exploitation, any of which is punishable by imprisonment of eight to 12 years. Section 23 of Act No. 3/14 also establishes penalties for the trafficking of minors to foreign countries for sexual exploitation.

The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not contain any information relating to its previous requests. It therefore requests the Government once again to provide information on the application in practice of sections 19(2) and 23 of Act No. 3/14 on the trafficking of young persons under the age of 18 years for sexual or labour exploitation.

Clause (b). Use, procuring or offering of a child for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances. The Committee previously noted that the Joint Executive Decree No. 171 of 2010, which establishes the activities prohibited to minors, includes the production of pornography. It requested the Government to provide information on the application in practice of the Decree.

The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not contain any information on the application in practice of the Decree. It therefore requests the Government once again to provide information on the application in practice of Decree No. 171/10 in relation to the use, procuring or offering of young persons under the age of 18 years for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances and, in particular, on the number of reported violations of this nature and the penalties applied.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (b). Removing children from the worst forms of child labour and ensuring their rehabilitation and social integration. Child victims of trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. The Committee previously noted the Government’s indication that the abduction of children had begun during the armed conflict and that at the end of the conflict a child protection programme had been established, enabling thousands of children, particularly girl victims of sexual exploitation and slavery, to be placed in reception centres and camps for displaced persons and refugees. The Committee noted information from ILO–IPEC indicating that the sexual and economic exploitation of girls and boys, and in particular the trafficking of children in certain parts of the country, had become a significant problem.

The Committee notes that once again the Government’s report does not contain sufficient information on this subject. It nevertheless notes that the Government, in its 2016 report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), refers to the existence of a programme for the family reunification and placement in institutions of child victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking. The Committee also notes that the National Children’s Institute (INAC) and the National Children’s Council (CNAC) are responsible for, inter alia, ensuring that government policies are implemented at the national level in the areas of investigation relating to children and their social protection. Lastly, the Committee notes that, according to the Government, the National Development Programme (PND) 2013–17 has implemented policies, programmes and actions to eliminate the sale and trafficking of children, as well as child prostitution (CRC/C/OPSC/AGO/1, paragraphs 51, 54 and 56). The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken by the INAC and the CNAC to ensure that child victims of trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation are identified and referred to the appropriate services for their rehabilitation and social integration. It also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken under the PND to ensure the protection and rehabilitation of child victims of commercial sexual exploitation and on the results achieved in this regard.

Clause (d). Children in street situations. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that the displacement of a large number of people during the armed conflict had resulted in children living on the streets. The Government indicated that, although the number of street children was decreasing as a result of a relative improvement in the population’s living conditions, a large number of children still lived on the streets. Efforts had been made as part of a specific programme designed to reunite street children with their families of origin or place them in host families, with the programme providing care for unaccompanied children in temporary institutions and children reunited with their families. The Government added that cooperation had been established between several public partners in order to implement programmes to create and improve private institutions accommodating street children (with integrated education and vocational training activities).

The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not contain any information on this subject. It nevertheless notes that the Government, in its report to the CRC, indicates that the number of street children has decreased (CRC/C/AGO/5-7, paragraph 175). Recalling that children in street situations are particularly vulnerable to the worst forms of child labour, the Committee once again requests the Government to intensify its efforts to ensure that these children are protected against the worst forms of child labour and to ensure their rehabilitation and social integration. It also requests the Government to provide information on the number of street children who have benefited from educational and vocational training programmes in specialized institutions.