Two opposition parties in Equatorial Guinea agreed this month to unify their strategies and carry out joint political actions in the country and internationally, Europa Press reported.
In a communique issued in Madrid on 17 May, the Union de Democratas Independendientes (Union of Independent Democrats) and Fuerza Democrata Republicana (Republican Democratic Force) called for the rule of law and for a new constitution to be drawn up by a constituent assembly. Other demands, Europa Press reported, include a new election law, “free and fair general elections under international supervision” and respect for human rights.
Equatorial Guinea’s government has often been accused of human rights abuses and repression against opposition supporters.
Neither of the two parties is represented in the country’s legislature:
most of the opposition boycotted legislative polls in March 1999, in which the ruling Partido Democratico de Guinea Ecuatorial won 75 of the 80 seats in parliament.
In a communique issued in Madrid on 17 May, the Union de Democratas Independendientes (Union of Independent Democrats) and Fuerza Democrata Republicana (Republican Democratic Force) called for the rule of law and for a new constitution to be drawn up by a constituent assembly. Other demands, Europa Press reported, include a new election law, “free and fair general elections under international supervision” and respect for human rights.
Equatorial Guinea’s government has often been accused of human rights abuses and repression against opposition supporters.
Neither of the two parties is represented in the country’s legislature:
most of the opposition boycotted legislative polls in March 1999, in which the ruling Partido Democratico de Guinea Ecuatorial won 75 of the 80 seats in parliament.
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