Guinea to Probe Violence Against Protestors

By Kylie M Tsudama
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

CONAKRY, Guinea – On September 28 soldiers opened fire on a crowd of protesters and raped and sexually assaulted some of them.

In December military coup leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara took over the government of Guinea when former President Lansana Conte passed away.  Protesters were demonstrating against the government’s decision to cancel its presidential elections.  The elections were originally supposed to be held this year and were postponed until January.

The Guinea government lists that 56 people have been killed but human rights officials list the number drastically higher, at 157.

The government has announced that it will launch an independent inquiry into the killings of protesters at the opposition rally.  Captain Camara has set up this commission in response to the international community, political opponents, and local human rights groups call for prosecution of those responsible for the killings.  The commission is to include members of human rights organizations, trade unions, political parties, civil society groups, the ruling military council, and lawyers, judges, and university professors.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), along with the United Nations and the African Union will be organizing a regional investigation.  Human Rights Watch (HRW) supports both ECOWAS’ efforts as well as the government’s efforts to investigate these crimes.

“You could have up to 150 or even more murders of mostly peaceful demonstrators.  Not to mention the horrific sexual abuse that happened against an unknown number of women and other abuses that were happening including theft and looting and so on.  This was done by all accounts by members of the security forces.  They need to be held accountable,” said Corinne Dufka, head of HRW operations in West Africa.

The top Human Rights official in the UN is concerned over the risks that launching an investigation into the killings could pose to Guineans.  UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay is considering an investigation into the security and political situation in Guinea.  She is concerned for the safety of those Guineans who were witnesses and may provide information about the violent suppression.

An investigation by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights depends largely on cooperation by Guinean authorities.  For now, Pillay is gathering information and considering possible formats of a probe.

For more information, please see:

UN News Centre – Guniea: UN  Official Fears for Witnesses’ Safety in Probe into Killing of Protesters – 09 October 2009

AP – Guinea’s Leader to Set Up Independent Inquiry – 08 October 2009

Reuters – Tensions in Guinea Junta as Isolation Grows – 08 October 2009

VOA – Guinea Military Announces Investigation into Killing of Protesters – 08 October 2009

NY Times – U.S. Envoy Protests Violence in Guinea – 06 October 2009

Impunity Watch – Guinea Security Forces Kill 9 During Protest – 28 September 2009

Author: Impunity Watch Archive