Overview of Human Rights in Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea has an extremely poor human rights record.  The situation is not helped by the fact that despite its nominal democratic status, the country has seen no real power shift since independence in the 1960s.

The police and security forces in Equatorial Guinea often use arbitrary arrest, lengthy detention, torture and beatings as tactics to frighten both actual and potential suspects. Foreign nationals are often harassed, detained and deported arbitrarily. The judicial system is corrupt and there is a lack of due process. Prison conditions are often harsh and inhumane.

The government restricts citizens’ right to privacy as well as freedoms of speech, press, assembly, association, and movement. Corruption is rampant in the government sector. Human rights activists and non governmental organizations are restricted or threatened with violence and death threats if they speak out. Government officials who commit criminal acts are often never sanctioned.

Incidences of discrimination and violence against children, ethnic minorities, homosexuals, and HIV/AIDS victims are pervasive in society as well.

Human Development Index (HDI) Rank:

120th out of 177

Note: Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index that measures the level of well-being of nations in the world. It uses factors such as poverty, literacy, life-expectancy, education, gross domestic product, and purchasing power parity to assess the average achievements in each nation. It has been used in the United Nation’s Human Development Report since 1993.