Freedom in the World 2005 - Cape Verde

Political Rights: 1
Civil Liberties: 1
Status: Free
Population: 500,000
GNI/Capita: $1,290
Life Expectancy: 69
Religious Groups: Roman Catholic, Protestant
Ethnic Groups: Creole [mulatto] (71 percent), African (28 percent), European (1 percent)
Capital: Praia

Overview

The ruling African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV) faced a tough challenge from the opposition Movement for Democracy (MPD) in local elections held in March 2004. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) praised Cape Verde for its economic reform measures, which have pushed up prices on staple goods and services.

After achieving independence from Portugal in 1975, Cape Verde was governed for 16 years under Marxist, one-party rule by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde, now the PAICV. The MPD won a landslide 1991 victory in the first democratic elections after Cape Verde became the first former Portuguese colony in Africa to abandon Marxist political and economic systems. In 1995, the MPD was returned to power with 59 percent of the vote. Antonio Mascarenhas Monteiro's mandate ended in 2001 after he had served two terms as president.

Cape Verde had a spectacularly close presidential election in 2001. In the second round of voting, opposition candidate Pedro Verona Rodrigues Pires defeated ruling party contender Carlos Alberto Wahnon de Carvalho Veiga by 12 votes in an election that overturned a decade of rule by the MPD; both presidential candidates had served as prime ministers. It was a test for Cape Verde's democracy that despite the closeness of the election, trust remained in the country's institutions and the results were accepted.

The PAICV also defeated the MPD in the 2001 legislative polls. The change in voting appeared to be a reflection of the popular attitude that the MPD had grown complacent. The PAICV won 40 seats compared with 30 for the MPD and 2 for the Democratic Alliance for Change. Disagreements within the MPD in 2000 resulted in a split and the formation of a new party, the Democratic Renewal Party, which won no assembly seats.

The MPD made a strong showing in local elections held in March 2004, defeating the ruling party in several of its traditional strongholds. The MPD's president, Agostinho Lopes, claimed there had been irregularities in the voters' rolls of some polling stations, but international observers said the elections were free and fair.

The government has undertaken unpopular measures as part of its move toward a market economy. Prices for water, electricity, and transportation soared after officials privatized state utilities in 2003. The country's stagnant economy has been bolstered somewhat by increased exports and tourism, but infrastructure improvements are still needed to assist in private sector development. Cape Verde is one of Africa's smallest and poorest lands. Foreign aid and remittances by Cape Verdean expatriates provide a large portion of national income.

The IMF approved a loan of $13 million to Cape Verde in April 2004 and praised the country's efforts at controlling inflation and improving its trade balance. It called on officials to implement regulatory reforms to improve conditions for the private sector. Consumers, trade unions, and other civil society groups have strongly protested the effects of privatization, in particular increases in the price of water, electricity, and transportation.

Political Rights and Civil Liberties

Since the 1991 transition to multiparty democracy, Cape Verdeans have changed their government three times by democratic means. The president and members of the National People's Assembly are elected through universal suffrage in free and fair elections. The 2001 presidential and legislative elections were declared free and fair, and those who were later found guilty of "election crimes" had apparently acted on a local level. Delegates of both candidates were found guilty of violations such as stuffing ballot boxes and were given light prison sentences.

Freedom of expression and of the press is guaranteed and generally respected in practice. No authorization is needed to publish newspapers and other publications. Broadcasts are largely state-controlled, but there is a growing independent press. There are six independent radio broadcasters and one state-run radio broadcaster, in addition to one state-run television station and two foreign-owned stations. Criticism of the government by state-run media is limited by self-censorship resulting from citizens' fear of demotion or dismissal. There is liberal access to the Internet.

Cape Verde was not ranked by Transparency International in its 2004 Corruption Perceptions Index.

The constitution requires the separation of church and state, and religious rights are respected in practice. However, the vast majority of Cape Verdeans belong to the Roman Catholic Church, and followers of the Catholic faith enjoy privileged status. Academic freedom is respected.

Freedom of peaceful assembly and association is guaranteed and respected. Human rights groups, including the National Commission on the Rights of Man and the Ze Moniz Association, operate freely. The constitution also protects the right to unionize, and workers may form and join unions without restriction. Collective bargaining is permitted, but it occurs rarely.

The judiciary is independent, although cases are frequently delayed. Judges must bring charges within 24 hours of arrest. Prison conditions are poor and are characterized by overcrowding. There were some reports that police continued to beat persons in custody or detention. Although the government investigated the allegations, no legal action was taken against the alleged perpetrators.

Ethnic divisions are not a problem.

Discrimination against women persists despite legal prohibitions against gender discrimination, as well as provisions for social and economic equality. Many women do not know their rights or do not possess the means to seek redress, especially in rural areas. At the encouragement of the government and civil society, more women are reporting criminal offenses such as spousal abuse or rape. Violence against women has been the subject of extensive public service media coverage in both government- and opposition-controlled media. The Women Jurists Association sought legislation in 2004 to establish a special family court to address crimes of domestic violence and abuse. Although women do not receive equal pay for equal work, they have made modest gains in various professions, especially in the private sector.