The Netherlands has a modest program in the area of human rights and good governance in Angola. With this program, a range of diverse projects is financed. For example, the Netherlands supports the free collection of news and a civil disarment program. Because in Angola the president and parlement elections are expected to take place in the near future, the Netherlands has started to support activities that contribute to the elections. These include so-called voter education programs. The Netherlands also value the independent news coverage of the elections.

Angola has a new landlaw since December 2004. The old tribal land law from Angola stemming from colonial times proofed to be inefficient. The Royal Netherlands embassy aims with a range of projects to make the Angolan population more aware of the consequences of this new law.

EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders:

With the adoption of the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders in June 2004, the EU has shown that it is looking for practical ways and means to enhance EU action on the issue of human rights defenders. As human rights defenders are crucial in making human rights violations visible, it is of paramount importance to ensure their safety, to protect their rights, and to support their work.

Therefore, the Netherlands attaches great value to the implementation of these EU Guidelines.