5. “Algeria: Islamic scholar sentenced to three-year prison term for in need of abortions were compelled to travel ‘offending Islam’”, 22 April to France and Spain to seek the healthcare they needed. In March Andorra rejected all ANDORRA UPR recommendations to decriminalize abortion. Principality of Andorra FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION Co-heads of state: Joan Enric Vives Sicília and Defamation and related offences against Emmanuel Macron public officials and institutions remained a Head of government: Xavier Espot Zamora criminal offence. In March the Andorran authorities rejected a UPR recommendation Access to abortion remained fully to decriminalize defamation in line with criminalized. A woman human rights international human rights standards. defender faced criminal charges after raising concerns about women’s rights, 1. “Andorra: Defamation charges against activist who raised rights including access to abortion, at a UN concerns before UN Committee must be dropped”, 16 February committee. HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS ANGOLA In January, three UN Special Rapporteurs and the Working Group on discrimination Republic of Angola against women and girls called on the Head of state and government: João Lourenço Andorran authorities to put an end to the apparent retaliation against Vanessa Security forces continued to carry out Mendoza Cortés for her engagement with UN serious human rights violations, including human rights mechanisms. dozens of unlawful killings, using excessive In February, Vanessa Mendoza Cortés, and unnecessary force. The police violated president of the organization Stop Violence, the rights to freedom of expression while appeared before a judge to answer charges peaceful protesters faced arbitrary arrest brought by the public prosecutor in 2020 and detention. Pastoral communities had following a complaint by the Andorran their land expropriated for use by government as a result of her intervention at commercial farmers. The government the CEDAW Committee, and statements she responded inadequately to secure food and made in 2019 to the press, calling for the water for victims of land dispossession, decriminalization of abortion and an drought and displacement. The 1 improvement to women’s rights. The original embezzlement of state funds undermined charges against her included offences of the government’s ability to alleviate slandering the co-prince and government widespread economic hardship and address institutions. In June, the public prosecutor the failing health sector. dropped two charges of slandering with BACKGROUND prison sentences but kept the charge against the prestige of the institutions involving a fine Concerns remained over the rising cost of of up to 30,000 euros. living and Covid-19-related economic and All criminal charges against Vanessa social devastation. Public awareness of Mendoza Cortés were still pending at the end inequity, especially among the young, grew in of the year. response to the shocking contrast of images SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS of starving people in rural areas, particularly in the southern region, and opulence in the A discriminatory and harmful total ban on capital, Luanda. While most Angolans faced abortion was still in place. As a result, people severe food shortages, the “Operation Crab” Amnesty International Report 2021/22 72