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Legal Framework
According to Articles 70 and 71 of Angola’s Penal Code, inherited from the Portuguese colonial era, security measures are sanctioned for people who habitually practice sexual acts ‘against the order of nature’.
In 2011, Angolan Minister of Justice Gulhermina Prata called for a review of the Penal Code to place emphasis on re-socialisation rather than punishment.
A BBC report in 2012 mentioned a draft penal code due to go before parliament that would outlaw discrimination on grounds of sexuality.
A joint statement in support of Resolution 17/19 at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) was brought by South Africa and Brazil in March 2011 entitled ‘Ending Acts of Violence and Related Human Rights Violations Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity’. The statement called for a study by the High Commission on the extent of such discrimination and how it might be combated. Angola, along with nine other African states voted against the resolution, which was ultimately passed by 23 votes to 19.
It has been noted that Angola’s national legislation is at odds with international treaties to which it is party. Angola ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) on 10th Jan 1992. Under the ICCPR, states have a duty to protect LGBTI persons from violence according to the following articles:
- Article 6 – Every human being has the inherent right to life. This right should be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life.
- Article 9 – Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person.
Angola ascended to the African (Banjul) Charter on Human and People’s Rights on 22nd February 1989. The following articles protect against LGBTI discrimination:
- Article 2 – Every individual shall be entitled to the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms recognized and guaranteed in the present Charter without distinction of any kind such as race, ethnic group, colour, sex, language, religion, political or any other opinion, national and social origin, fortune, birth or other status.
- Article 28 – Every individual shall have the duty to respect and consider his fellow beings without discrimination, and to maintain relations aimed at promoting, safeguarding and reinforcing mutual respect and tolerance.
For more detailed information on the protection of LGBTQI+ rights in Angola, visit the Angola ILGA World Database.
Homosexuality/Bisexuality
Whilst there have been no documented cases in Angola of the prosecution of homosexuality by the state, the US State Department has disclosed isolated reports of LGBTI persons suffering harassment at the hands of their local communities.
According to Américo Kwanonoka, an anthropologist, Angolan society is not ready to accept homosexuality. Because of this many gay men choose marriage as a cover but continue sexual relationships with other men. The risk of persecution towards members of the LGBTI community extends to the area of HIV/AIDS prevention.
In 2010, there were reports that the appointment of Yitzhak Yanuka, the Israeli ambassador to Angola, was retracted due to the fact that he was openly gay. Angolan officials stated that they felt that the position should be filled by a more senior diplomat; Yankula later rescinded his candidacy due to ‘personal reasons’.
Political parties in Angola neither support nor openly condemn LGBTI rights. However, newspaper editorials and private publications in Angola have written of homosexuality as a ‘plague on civilisation’ and ‘the most worrying phenomena of modern times’.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has detailed that discrimination against homosexuality is such that gay people can expect to face day to day threats and abuse from strangers in the street.In 2005 a widely publicised gay wedding took place in Luanda when 21-year-old Aleksander Gregório and ‘Bruna’ (23) signed an unofficial letter of commitment in the presence of a retired notary. This was followed by extensive- and exclusively negative – media coverage and let to physical attacks on the couple.
Transgender persons
Since 2011 one of the most successful musical acts in Angola has been the transsexual artist Titica. Titica has regular appearances on TV and radio and has performed in front of President Jose Eduado Santos. However, in a recent interview with the BBC she recounted being beaten and stoned in public in Angola.
We have not found any relevant case law at this time but welcome suggestions.
Organisations supporting LGBTQI+ individuals
We are not currently aware of any organisations working with LGBTQI+ persons in Angola, but we welcome suggestions.
Country of Origin experts in LGBTQI+ rights
We do not currently have any specialists on LGBTQI+ issues in Angola, but we welcome suggestions.
Angola Legal Assistance
Find organisations providing legal assistance to refugees in Angola.
Angola COI
Find Angola Country of Origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents.
We are always looking to expand the resources on our platform. If you know about relevant resources, or you are aware of organisations and/or individuals to include in our directories, please get in touch.
Last updated May 2023
