Angola joins UN human rights conventions, treaties

Angola Tuesday joined six UN conventions, treaties and protocols relating to the safeguard and protection of citizens' political, economic and social rights.

The documents were signed by Angolan Foreign Minister Georges Chikot at the UN headquarters in New York on behalf of the Angolan government, Xinhua reported citing official news agency Angop.

The documents provide for the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination, torture and other forms of cruel treatment and degrading punishment.

The protocols focus on the protection of economic, social and cultural rights, including the treaties on abolition of death penalty and protection of political and civil rights.

Chikoti hailed the signing of the documents as an extremely necessary step taken by Angola in view of the country's economic and social attainments over the last few years, saying the country had reached an important development stage and must comply with international laws and principles.

He also cited the progress made by the country to protect the political and civil rights of its citizens since decades of wars ended in April 2002.

Chikoti is in New York together with Angolan Vice President Manuel Vicente, who is attending the 68th session of the UN General Assembly on behalf of President Jose Eduardo dos Santos.