In November 2024, the UNPO has made a submission to the UN Special Rapporteurs in respect of the ongoing human rights violations in Annobón. Some of the issues highlighted in the submission include (i) environmental degradation and waste dumping; (ii) infrastructure issues; (iii) systemic isolation and exclusion; (iv) discrimination and violence; and (v) arbitrary arrests and political suppression, including restrictions on freedom of expression and media and interference with freedom of assembly and movement.
Annobón is a small, yet ethnically diverse, island province of Equatorial Guinea. The island was discovered by the Portuguese in 1472 and later transferred to the Spanish. By 1968, Annobón became a province of Equatorial Guinea when the country gained its independence. Due to its geographical isolation from the rest of Equatorial Guinea and under the country’s fierce dictatorial system, Annobón experiences political and systemic exclusion from the rest of the country.
Annobón has historically taken on a significant environmental burden as a dumping ground for toxic waste and resource extraction, resulting in devastating impacts to the natural environment and ecosystem. Most recently, the government has entered into an agreement with a foreign construction company for the purposes of extracting minerals on the island and expanding commercial infrastructure projects. Despite the ongoing operations, many of these projects remain unfinished and have caused irreparable damage to the environment and local infrastructure through vast open quarries and the use of dynamite explosives. Such activities have placed the community’s supply of drinking water at risk, caused damage to homes, and a loss of arable land, threatening the livelihood of many Annobonese who depend on agriculture for their subsistence.
Due to the lack of support and assistance from the government of Equatorial Guinea, residents of Annobón urged the government to address the dire conditions on the island. However, the government not only failed to acknowledge this request, but also escalated its aggressions against the people of Annobón resulting in the arbitrary arrests and detentions of 42 community members. In response to these arrests, a submission was made to the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on behalf of the citizens of Annobón requesting that the arrests be declared arbitrary.
In light of the above violations, the UNPO requested that the government of Equatorial Guinea:
- Immediately release all detainees arrested between July and August 2024, and cease all activities that may result in the arbitrary detention of residents of Annobón;
- Immediately restore all communications and internet services to and from the Island of Annobón to ensure the free and uninterrupted flow of information and media;
- Take the necessary actions and implement measures to address the ongoing environmental degradation and exploitation of natural resources in Annobón, which have endangered the natural resources, fragile ecosystem and health and well-being of the local population; and to implement sustainable practices to prevent further impact to the environment and livelihood of those in Annobón;
- Take the necessary actions and implement measures to provide access to basic services, including but not limited to, safe drinking water, electricity and healthcare; and to build infrastructure on the island, including, schools, healthcare clinics, and housing;
- Take the necessary measures to allow for the free and unrestricted travel of persons to and from Annobón and further accommodate the cultural relationship between Annobón and other communities from the CLPC; and
- Ensure that representatives of Annobón are included in policy and decision making processes at all levels of government to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are addressed.
The UNPO looks forward to the Special Rapporteurs’ consideration of the submission and remains committed in its efforts to support the people of Annobón in the realisation of their human rights.
You can read our full submission here: Annobón: The Forgotten Toxic Waste Ground
Photo Credit: The Guardian https://bit.ly/3OxiV3O
