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If You Come Back We Will Kill You: Sexual Violence and Other Abuses Against Congolese Migrants During Expulsions from Angola

NCJ Number
238965
Date Published
May 2012
Length
55 pages
Annotation
This report from Human Rights Watch examines the problem of sexual violence and other abuses against migrants from the Congo who have been expelled from Angola.
Abstract
Beginning in 2003, the government of Angola began expelling migrants from the country, the majority of which have been from the Democratic Republic of Congo (Congo). The Angolan Government's rationale for these expulsions was the need to protect the country's national security from a "silent invasion" of migrant workers. The expulsions began in the country's diamond areas and have since spread to other regions of the country, including urban residential areas. The expulsions are usually carried out through a coordinated effort that involves most branches of the country's security forces. This report by Human Rights Watch details the abuses suffered by these migrants, particularly the sexual violence towards women and children that includes gang-rapes and sexual exploitation; the beatings, torture, and degrading and inhumane treatment suffered by the migrants during the government roundups and transportation of migrants to detention facilities; and the continued arbitrary arrests and denial of due process for migrants attempting to fight their deportation. The report details the lack of investigation by all levels of the Angolan Government towards the inhumane treatment of Congolese migrants. Recommendations to specific governments and entities are included in the report. These governments and entities include the Government of Angola, the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the African Commission on Human and People's Rights, the United Nations, and the United Nations Human Rights Council.