LocationsAdvancing LGBTI+ leadership and accountability in Angola through the Universal Periodic Review
August 20, 2025
Líria de Castro
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a critical mechanism of the United Nations Human Rights Council that reviews the human rights records of all UN Member States every four and a half years. It provides a platform for countries to assess each other’s progress and challenges in promoting and protecting human rights.
For civil society organizations (CSOs), participation in the UPR process is vital, as it allows them to share first-hand information, highlight issues faced by marginalized communities and influence the recommendations made to governments. Their involvement ensures that the voices of those most affected by human rights violations are heard and considered at the highest international level.
In Angola, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI+) civil society organizations have increasingly engaged with the State in different sectors in the last decade. In parallel, LGBTI+ CSOs have explored the UPR process to enhance accountability and coordination with multiple stakeholders. The submission of their first shadow report in 2019 is part of this effort. This report was developed by a coalition led by Arquivo de Identidade Angolano (AIA), in collaboration with Associação Íris Angola and Mulheres do Coração. Among the contributors was Líria de Castro, a young activist affiliated with AIA, who played a pivotal role in the initiative.
Through the #WeBelongAfrica programme, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has supported LGBTI+ CSOs and activists in Angola by strengthening their advocacy capacities. This support has included capacity strengthening in drafting recommendations, conducting midterm reviews and preparing for participation in UPR sessions.
After five years of sustained engagement, a significant milestone was achieved when Líria de Castro represented a coalition of Angolan LGBTI+ organizations at the 48th UPR Pre-sessions of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, in November 2024. This represented the first time LGBTI CSOs engaged throughout the UPR cycle, from beginning to end and discussing the recommendations for a new cycle.
Her participation marked a historic moment: a young Angolan LGBTI+ activist addressed the international community directly, shedding light on the status of human rights implementation in Angola in the context of LGBTI+ rights and inclusion, and influencing the formulation of recommendations by Member States.
While in Geneva, Mrs. de Castro held strategic meetings with the Permanent Mission of Angola to the United Nations and representatives of other international organizations. These engagements fostered a shared commitment to advancing the implementation of forthcoming UPR recommendations. She also met with the Permanent Missions of Germany and Mexico – then Co-Chairs of the Equal Rights Coalition – as well as with representatives from Belgium, Sweden and Norway.
The experience of AIA was extremely positive – it was an advocacy space that connected us with various actors, including Member States, civil society organizations, human rights defenders and private sector representatives. It also allowed us to bring Angola’s context regarding LGBTI+ rights to the highest level. We are truly grateful for the overall support from UNDP and the #WeBelongAfrica team.said Líria de Castro.
Following her return to Luanda, Mrs. de Castro convened LGBTI+ activists for feedback and mobilized partners to continue discussions on human rights for all. These engagements are opening new avenues for collaboration and accountability with national and international partners in the implementation of ongoing human rights initiatives.
UNDP, through the #WeBelongAfrica initiative, is committed to enhancing the advocacy capacity of LGBTI+ organizations and young activists in Angola and beyond. By equipping them with the skills and platforms necessary for effective engagement, the initiative continues to foster inclusive participation in national and international human rights processes.
The #WeBelongAfrica programme is a regional initiative that integrates two UNDP-led projects: the Inclusive Governance Initiative and the Southern Africa Young Key Populations Inclusion Initiative. The programme is designed to support state entities in sub-Saharan Africa to become increasingly accountable and responsive to, and inclusive of, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI+) people and young key populations, which in turn will contribute to better laws, more responsive public sector services, and social norms that affirm these populations’ perspectives, needs and rights. The programme is supported by Sweden and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Mozambique.
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