Equatorial Guinea: Current situation of supporters and activists of the Progress Party (Partido del Progreso de Guinea Equatorial - PPGA) and the treatment of their family members (1997-May 1998)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 May 1998 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | GNQ29306.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Equatorial Guinea: Current situation of supporters and activists of the Progress Party (Partido del Progreso de Guinea Equatorial - PPGA) and the treatment of their family members (1997-May 1998), 1 May 1998, GNQ29306.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abc154.html [accessed 2 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Current information on the situation of supporters and activists of the Progress Party of Equatorial Guinea is scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. According to a 11 November 1997 Amnesty International Urgent Action, members of the Progress Party (PP) "have been targeted for some weeks following the government claim that the party's leader, Severo Moto, had organized a plot to overthrow the government." Country Reports 1997 also states that in "a nation-wide crackdown on the PP," about 50 members were arrested by the government following a May 1997 plot attempt planned by the PP's leader Severo Moto against the Equatorial Guinean president (1998, 100). According to a 14 June 1997 RNE Radio broadcast, the Progress Party had been declared illegal by a presidential decree following the foiled coup attempt while a 12 July 1997 El Plais report indicates that Severo Moto had been dismissed from the presidency of the Progress Party (PP). The former Progress Party (PP) leader later obtained refugee status in Spanish territory (El Plais, 20 Aug. 1997).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Reference
Amnesty International. 11 November 1997. Urgent Action: Fear of Torture/Possible POCs/Refoulement. (AI Index:AFP 02/28/97). London: Amnesty International.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1997. 1998. United States Department of States. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.
El Plais [Madrid, in Spanish]. 20 August 1997. Spain Plans no Immediate Change in Equatorial Guinean Opposition Head's Status. (BBC Summary 22 Aug. 1997/NEXIS).
_____. 12 July 1997. "Leader of Opposition Progress Party Moto Dismissed." (BBC Summary 14 July 1997/NEXIS).
RNE Radio 1. [Madrid, in Spanish]. 14 June 1997. "President Bans Opposition Party." (BBC Summary 16 June 1997/NEXIS).
Sources Consulted
Africa Confidential [London]. 1997- March 1998.
Africa Research Bulletin [London]. 1997- February 1998.
Equatorial Guinea country file. 1996- March 1998.
Human Rights Watch World Report. 1998.
Jeune Afrique [Paris]. 1997- May 1998.
West Africa [London]. 1996- January 1998.
Electronic sources: IRB databases, Internet, NEXIS/LEXIS, REFWORLD, World News Connection.
