Equatorial Guinea . . .

calls itself a multiparty republic, but really it isn't democratic at all

Why not? ●Elections are not free/fair, a big negative●Obiang in power since 1978●Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea has

monopoly on the government

2009 Election ●95.37% of votes to Obiang●Observers said there was

great "fraud"●Military personnel influenced

people to vote for Obiang●Obiang's security forces

influenced votes●Opposition party lacked

access to media

Any opposition? Any hope? Opposition lacks organization, money, and public support The good news?No opposition members tortured or detained, but they were intimidated in 2009 election The bad news?Obiang's son is expectedto be the next president(promoted to vp this year)

An aerial view of Obiang's son's Malibu house

Freedom of Speech and Press LimitedSpeechNo criticism of president gov't monitors all activitiesof opposition PressEl Lector, independent newspaper approved in 2010 Gov't OwnershipRTVGE, national radio/TV systemTeodorin owns private broadcast media

Freedom of Assembly and AssociationAssemblyConstitution allows it,but gov't restrictions . . . Ex. -- 2010 denial of Popular Union to hold a meeting

AssociationConstitution allows it, but gov't restrictions . . no ethnic polit. partiesonly one labor organization registered

Freedom of MovementThe Law . . .● allows movement●no UN office●police used extortion w/ travelers●opposition leaders cannot leave country and

return (some are in exile)Ex: June 2011 -- lots of arrests of opponents during African Union Summit

Equal OpportunityWomen's health

Violence: domestic violenceand rape a big problem;penalties exist, but lawsnot enforced

Reproductive Rights: 10% of pop. uses contraception; prenatal care improving

Equal OpportunityWomen and work

negative stereotypes, cultural traditions, lack of schooling (1/5)

rural vs. urban

Politics: four women in 41-member cabinet; five women in 80-member legislature

Equal Opportunity

Children

Education -- free/compulsoryuntil age 13 (boys complete more ed. than girls)

Schools -- one oil company in 2010 helped update school buildings and materials

Abuse -- abuse is illegal; however law is not enforced and physical punishment is the norm

Workers' Rights

Unions

One union exists -- the Union Organization of Small Farmers

Other unions are denied formation (must have 50 members at a workplace)

Go-slows, but no strikes

Workers' Rights: Child Labor

●Law prohibits 14 and under●Some kids from other nations forced to work

as servants and street vendors●Some women 15-18 forced to work as sex

slaves, esp. in Malabo and Bata

Workers' Rights -- oil workers

●300,000 migrants work in oil industry●bribery used by security officials●workers face discrimination

"Migrants mean one thing -- dependable labor." -- Equatorial Guinean businessman

Justice System: torture●Excessive force used●Black Beach Prison -- four military

officers re: 2009 attack on pres. palace

●Migrants esp. are tortured, harassed by local officials

U.N. says that "guards and soldiers took turns administering electric shocks to political prisoners." (NY Times, May 2011)

Justice System -- professionalism Jan. 2011 -- ICRC trained six military officers in humanitarian law

Aug. 2010 -- first naval cadets graduated

2010-2011 -- foreign contractor trained police in appropriate use of force

Arrest and detentionMany arrested with no warrant.

Few told of charges against them.

Public not told they have right to an attorney.

Lawyers can not contact detainees.

Convergence Party for Social Democracy members arrested, detained, not charged in Nov. 2010