Torture : la Guinée interpellée par les Nations Unies à Genève!

From guineenews.org

mer, 28 mai 2014, 16:36 Posté Par Thierno Brel Barry La Une, Le monde, News 1 6204

Torture : la Guinée interpellée par les Nations Unies à Genève!

En marge de la 52ème session du comité de lutte contre la torture qui s’est tenu à Genève le 28 avril dernier, des observations finales sur les rapports examinés durant cette session ont été rendus public cette semaine.

La session portait sur la convention contre la torture et autres peines ou traitements cruels, inhumains ou dégradants. Pendant cette session, la délégation guinéenne était conduite par son ministre des droits de l’Homme et des libertés publiques, Gassama Diaby. Il a sejourné en Suisse du 6 au 7 mai dernier devant le comité et avait présenté le jour même, le rapport initial devant ledit comité. Il faut souligner que ce rapport dont Guineenews s’est procuré copie, n’était pas conforme à la ligne directrice du comité en matière de présentation d’un rapport initial. Le comité a déploré, le fait que le gouvernement ait présenté le jour même son rapport, ce qui a empêché, le comité d’analyser à temps les documents, quand bien même, que le rapport n’était pas traduit dans les langues de travail des Nations Unies, chose à revoir pour la prochaine fois pour l’image de l’État guinéen. Pourtant, le comité attendait ce rapport de la Guinée depuis près de 25 ans.

Malgré ces quelques manquements, le comité s’est félicité des échanges très francs et directs qu’il a eus avec la délégation guinéenne, qui a présenté la situation et les problèmes auxquels, notre pays est confronté et a apporté des réponses orales, pendant l’examen, aux questions posées par les membres du comité.

Au terme de cette session qui s’est déroulée sous la présidence de M. Claudio Grossman, le comité s’est penché à examiner, à huis clos, des informations semblant indiquer des actes de tortures qui seraient pratiqués en Guinée. Ce qui a permis au comité d’émettre quelques recommandations à l’Etat guinéen.

Aspects positifs à retenir :

Le comité a salué les séries décisions prises par l’État depuis 1990 jusqu’à aujourd’hui, pour dire que l’administration est une continuité.
Il faut noter entre autres, la ratification du protocole additionnel à la convention relative aux droits civils et politiques, le 17 juin 1993 ;
La création de l’Observatoire nationale de la démocratie et des droits de l’Homme par décret du Premier ministre, le 12 juin 2008 ;
La création du ministère des droits de l’Homme et des libertés publiques
La création du ministère des droits de l’Homme et des libertés publiques, en octobre 2012 ;
La création d’une « commission provisoire de réconciliation nationale » ; etc.…

Aspects négatifs et préoccupations

Rappelant le gouvernement sur ses obligations à la lutte contre la torture et aux mauvais traitements inhumains ou dégradants. Le comité regrette l’absence de disposition légales spécifique sur l’interdiction de la torture et des mauvais traitements. Le cycle de l’impunité doit être brisé, les auteurs des crimes doivent être traduits en justice, les droits et la dignité des victimes réhabilités. La violation des droits de l’Homme est récurrente en Guinée, sans aucune responsabilité ou réparation ne soit jamais intervenue. Seul le cas d’une jurisprudence « Ministère Public contre le Margis-Chef de la gendarmerie Momo Bangoura et consorts » a été salué par le comité.

Le comité se préoccupe des informations très crédibles qu’ils ont faisant cas d’actes de torture, pratiqués dans les prisons, les gendarmeries et les camps de détention militaires. Un certain nombre de cas des personnes qui ont subi les actes de torture ont été nommé et les actes ont été fermement condamnés il s’agît entre autres , le cas d’Alhousseine Camara torturé en octobre 2011, Ibrahima Bah et Sékouba Keita tous torturés en février 2012, Ibrahima sow, Aboubacar Soumah torturé et décédé en 2012, de Balla Condé et de Tafsir Sylla torturés et décédés respectivement en décembre 2013 et février 2014.

Les évènements du 28 septembre au Stade

Le comité est très préoccupé par ces évènements du 28 septembre 2009 au stade, qualifié par la commission d’enquête internationale des Nations unies sur la Guinée de crime contre l’humanité. Il se dit préoccupé par le fait que certaines personnes, inculpées par les autorités guinéennes pour les violations flagrantes des droits de l’Homme, perpétrés durant ces évènements, soient membres du gouvernement actuel, à l’instar du Colonel Claude Pivi, Ministre chargé de la sécurité présidentielle et de Moussa Thiegboro Camara, Secrétaire d’État.

Indépendance du pouvoir Judiciaire :

Le comité est préoccupé par l’instrumentalisation du système judiciaire et s’inquiète de l’absence d’indépendance effective du corps judiciaire.

Le comité est également préoccupé que le conseil de la magistrature Supérieur soit présidé par le Président de la République, ce qui engendre une apparence de dépendance au pouvoir exécutif.

Mutilations génitales féminines

Le comité note avec grande préoccupation, la déclaration de la délégation guinéenne attestant qu’aucune poursuite ni condamnation n’ont été, à ce jour, entreprises par la loi contre ces pratiques.

Recommandations

Le comité suggère au gouvernement des recommandations dont entre autres :

* Réaffirmer publiquement et sans ambiguïté le caractère absolu, indélogeable et intangible de la torture.

* Veiller, impérativement, à ce que toutes les violations des droits de l’Homme commises durant les évènements du stade du 28 septembre, notamment les cas de torture et de violation sexuelle, fassent systématiquement l’objet d’enquêtes et de poursuites promptes, impartiales et approfondies afin de garantir que les victimes obtiennent vérité, justice et réparation, conformément à la convention et au statut de Rome ratifié en 2000 par la Guinée

* Suspendre de leurs fonctions, durant toute la durée de l’enquête, les membres des forces de sécurité suspectés pour les violations graves des droits de l’Homme perpétrées durant les évènements de Conakry, tout en s’assurant que le principe de présomption d’innocence soit observé

* Enquêter et veiller à ce que personne ne soit détenu dans les lieux de détention secrets ou non officiels, empêcher toute forme de détentions illégales sur son territoire et mener des enquêtes sur les allégations faisant état de tels faits ;; – Renforcer, de toute urgence, les mesures visant à prévenir et éliminer la pratique de la mutilation génitale féminine, en veillant à une application effective de sa législation à ce sujet, en conformité avec la convention, notamment en facilitant le dépôt de plaintes par les victimes, en menant des enquêtes rapides et effectives et en poursuivant et punissant les responsables par des sanctions appropriées en fonction de la gravité de leur crime ;

* Mener une campagne de sensibilisation nationale sur la traite des êtres humains et dispenser une formation aux agents de forces de l’ordre ;
Il faut rappeler que la prochaine session se déroulera du 3 au 28 novembre 2014 à Genève.

Guinea: In Communique, Opposition Reiterates What It Reiterated Before –Including Ville Morte Monday and No Decision on Seats in the Assembly

Below is the latest communique from the opposition.  If you wish to read the French version, click on the link below.

sam, 23 nov 2013, 14:49 

Journée ville morte à Conakry : l’opposition guinéenne formalise sept décisions.

Translated into English via Google.

Ghost town in Conakry day: the Guinean opposition formalized seven decisions.

Political members of the Republican opposition parties came together to harmonize their positions on issues relating to legislation on 28 September 2013. They took the opportunity to issue a statement on seven points, Has said Saturday in a statement.

 

1 – Opposition condemns become recurrent abuses suffered by unarmed demonstrators by the security forces who enjoy total impunity in their missions repression. During these brutal actions, they do not hesitate to use weapons of war to provide services for maintaining order with as corollary of heavy balance sheets resulting in many deaths and gunshot wounds. Opposition deplores their latest crackdown has resulted in the death of a young citizen 15 years hit by a bullet during a protest in Cosa, in the commune of Ratoma and injuries to a dozen other young people from the same neighborhood;

2 – opposition deplores the violence against journalists are regularly in the exercise of their noble profession. It condemns molestage a journalist by members of the Presidential Guard, during an official ceremony and the attempted abduction by strangers of the director of a private radio;

3 – The opposition confirms its determination to enter supranational courts in order to assert these rights, under the resolution of electoral disputes arising recent elections;

4 – The opposition decided to inform the Secretary General of the United Nations a complete dossier highlighting fraud, serious shortcomings and gaps that have affected the election, thus removing him credibility and transparency expected;

5 – The Republican opposition acknowledges the dissolution of the Committee monitoring the implementation of the inter-Guinean political agreement of 3 July 2013 and regrets the lack of a framework for dialogue between the government and the opposition. So she wants to create a new framework for dialogue between the presidential camp and the Government on the one hand and the opposition, on the other hand, with the participation of representatives of the international community. Such a structure could, among other tasks, to follow up the implementation of the provisions of the agreement of July 3 last not yet executed;

6 – Opposition challenges to the next plenary debate on the question of its future participation in the National Assembly, the process of internal consultation initiated by some political parties are not at an end. An extension has been granted for that consensus is achieved within each political party before a meeting of the Republican opposition to define a common position regarding its participation or boycott the future parliament. The Republican opposition reiterates its determination to preserve its unity and cohesion usual to make the ultimate decision adopted in the coming days, a common position shared by all member parties;

7 – To protest against the resignation of the Supreme Court, which is self-challenged publicly expressing his incompetence to deal with appeals by political parties in the electoral disputes, Republican opposition decides to make Monday, November 25 2013 , a ghost town in the five communes of Conakry day. She called the people of the capital to refrain from any activity that day to protest against the serious institutional crisis created by the resignation of the Supreme Court and its refusal to resolve electoral disputes as there oblige the Constitution and the Code election;

The Republican opposition invites its members and supporters to respond massively to its slogan of dead city for the day of November 25 next while remaining mobilized to defend the democratic gains of the People of Guinea.

Al Jazeera Video: N’Zerekore, Guinea – “Ethnic Violence Threatens Guinea Mining”

Ethnic violence threatens Guinea mining

Violence that has left 50 people dead over past week puts strain on major international commodity contracts.

Last Modified: 23 Jul 2013 10:55

The UN has commended Guinea’s government for trying to restore calm in the west African nation. More than 50 people have been killed in fighting between tribes over the last week.

Guinea is the world’s biggest exporter of Bauxite, the main source of Aluminium. But the increase in tensions could threaten multi-million dollar contracts with a number of international mining companies. 

Al Jazeera’s Nazanine Moshiri reports from N’Zerekoure.

 Video

A Tragi-Comedy: The Guinea Opposition and Government Resume Dialog Talks on Monday

Said Djinnit, the international facilitator of the Government dialog, which the opposition occasionally feels obliged to attend, has drawn up rules of engagement for the next meeting scheduled for Monday, June3, which sound more like the instructions a referee might give boxers before a 15-round bout.  What a tragi-comedy.  The government representatives will try not to mix up the lies they told at the last dialog meeting with the ones they will tell on Monday.  The opposition will tell the government to quit being lawless jerks, to postpone the election long enough for a coup against Conde, to send Waymak back to Jacob Zuma, to release all opposition supporters and stop trying out new torture techniques on them,  and to issue the security forces nothing more than toothpicks, and not the pointy kind, as weapons. Okay, okay, this is Guinea Oye’s list.   As for Said Djinnit, he will try to keep a straight face every time the government reps. open their mouths and to feign optimism every time the opposition does the same.

 

Yet, Djinnit might also try to even up the praise he laid on Conde and the opposition in the opening paragraph of his rules of engagement statement.  Here is what he said:

 

“I am glad that calm has returned to Conakry after public protests that led to serious violence and, unfortunately, the loss of many human lives. I also welcome the statements along the lines of appeasement made ​​by various political actors these days. In particular, I welcome the statement by the President of the Republic of 29 May 2013 in which he called on all citizens to dedicate the day of Friday, May 31, 2013 in prayer and meditation for peace, cohesion social and national unity. I applaud his decision to keep his door always open to discuss the future of the country and respect the spirit of true dialogue. I am also pleased with the decision by the opposition leaders to suspend public events to enable pupils and students to prepare and participate in examinations in conditions of peace and serenity. I welcome the provision asserted by the parties to discuss.” 

 

What??  Calm will not return to Guinea until Alpha Conde leaves.  Djinnit praises Conde for saying conciliatory-sounding things which seems useless because Conde is a pathological liar.  But, what Djinnit said about the opposition is odd.  He praises the opposition for getting off the streets so kids can study in conditions of peace and serenity.  Isn’t there an inference here that the presence of the opposition in the streets provokes cops to do evil things like extra-judicial executions?  And, it is precisely the extra-judical killings of kids by state-sponsored forces, which scares the beejeebers out of diplomats and investors alike.

Djinnit’s assessment that calm has returned to Conakry is not warranted.  The country is sitting on a powder keg.  The more Djinnit tries to paint a rosy picture, the more resentment builds within the opposition and especially among the youth.  The young people know the situation is dire and do not want a diplomat to suggest it isn’t.  They understand that the international community is trying to shove another fraudulent election down their throats and, after exams, the international community will come to understand that the election is a non-issue, because the war has already started.

La « communauté internationale » en Guinée-CONAKRY : des ambiguïtés à expliquer à ceux et à celles qui veulent comprendre.

Mamadou Billo SY SAVANE

LEGUEPARD.net

Article publié par le 27 avril 2013 à 9h2

La « communauté internationale » en Guinée-CONAKRY : des ambiguïtés à expliquer à ceux et à celles qui veulent comprendre.

De tous les pays Noirs Africains, les Guinéens sont les plus prompts à implorer la «communauté» dite internationale à la moindre petite difficulté politique normale intérieure. Ici on invoque BAN KI MOON. Là, on sollicite le représentant de l‘Union Européenne qui se prend pour le Gouverneur Général de la Guinée, parce que son organisation financerait ceci ou cela. Ailleurs, on se soumet obséquieusement aux injonctions injustifiées de l’Ambassadeur des U.S.A. dont on cherche en vain le caractère diplomatique de ses agissements militants pour M. Alpha CONDE. En quelque sorte, la préférence pour un homme pourvoyeur de concessions minières, et le rejet de populations pacifiques délestées de leur propre pays. Singulière diplomatie.

Jamais par le passé, notre PATRIE n’a été si humiliée, si traînée dans la boue, depuis la cooptation de M. Alpha CONDE à sa tête, par des réseaux extérieurs dont les Guinéens de base comprennent désormais qu’ils défendent des intérêts absolument contraires aux leurs.

La diplomatie de menace et d’intimidation des populations guinéennes par l’ambassadeur des U.S.A. à CONAKRY est une source possible de radicalisation de la jeunesse du pays.

Ce nouvel ambassadeur à CONAKRY, d’ailleurs très lié aux affairistes miniers Anglo-américains et Sud-Africains, ne cesse d’intriguer de simples citoyens guinéens. Car ses ingérences grossières dans les petits différends politiques intérieurs, sont très loin de la démarche diplomatique normale, mais très proches des intimidations de type bar bouzard.

Le militantisme RPGISTE outrancier du diplomate des U.S.A. à CONAKRY, ses agissements agressifs déraisonnables contre les adversaires politiques de M. Alpha CONDE, n’annoncent rien de bon pour mes compatriotes, ni maintenant, ni dans le futur proche et lointain.

Il va dans les camps militaires à KINDIA et ailleurs, comme si la Guinée était un simple Comté de l’Alabama, ou de l’Oregon. Il donne des leçons de «démocratie» aux Guinéens qui ne lui demandent rien. Je me suis laissé dire qu’il aurait ordonné à M. Alpha CONDE de fixer la date du 30 Juin pour les législatives. Or, il n’ignore pas que le KIT électoral WAYMARK-SABARI Technologie a déjà créé préventivement un stock de 750. 000 faux électeurs en Haute-Guinée, notamment à KANKAN, SIGUIRI, KOUROUSSA, KEROUANE (les bastions supposés de M. Alpha CONDE), et limité sévèrement les inscriptions au fichier électoral dans les régions réputées favorables à l’opposition (la Moyenne-Guinée, la Basse-Guinée et maintenant une bonne partie de la Guinée Forestière). Peut-être a t-il lui-même, ou ses amis Sud-Africains (Services Secrets de M. Jacob ZUMA qui peuplent le palais Sékoutouréya) contribué à créer ces faux électeurs ?

Guineans Give Former African Union Head, Jean Ping, Hell in Front of the United Nations

Jean Ping, former Africa Union head

Last Friday, Guineans, from all over the northeast, came to New York on the third anniversary of the September 28, 2009 massacre in Guinea. In the morning, protesters gathered in front of the Guinean mission to the UN where they called for justice for Sept. 28 victims and for Alpha Conde to leave office. After that, they marched to the rally site, Dag Hamerskjold Park, a few blocks from the United Nations. As participants waited for the rally to begin, a huge roar erupted within the crowd.

 

Across the street, Jean Ping, former head of the African Union was walking with colleagues. Ping took a couple of side glances at the crowd trying to determine if the noise coming at him was a good or a bad thing. He figured it out quickly and stepped up his pace accordingly. What had Ping done to deserve the wrath of the people of Guinea?

 

Throughout the 2010 election campaign, the interim government of Guinea, led by Sekouba Konate, violently targeted those of the Peul ethnic group, most of whom were supporters of presidential candidate, Cellou Dalein Diallo. Election fraud by an electoral commission member and party operative of candidate, Alpha Conde, Louceny Camara, prevented Diallo from winning the election outright in the first round. The second round was to consist of the two top vote getters of the first round, which were Diallo and Sidya Toure. After more Louceny Camara “magic,” Alpha Conde, rather than Sidya Toure, was identified as the next highest finisher. A Guinean electorate, with a sinking feeling, watched the opening of the second round between Cellou Dalein Diallo and Alpha Conde who was supported by a well-oiled campaign machine designed to steal the presidency for him. The state violence against Diallo supporters increased dramatically in the second round and consisted of massacres, burning of homes and businesses and the use of rape, all intended to intimidate Peuls into not voting in the election. It worked, thousands of Peuls were disenfranchised.

 

When Jean Ping, in his interview, belittled Guineans’ resistance to a fraudulent election and ignored the state violence against unarmed citizens, his reference to demonstrators as “looters” was the last straw. If Ping had any familiarity with Guinea, he would have known that looters tend to be from the state security services.

 

Guineans understand that Ping’s comments were made to obscure the fact that there was substantial resistance in the country to Conde’s theft of the presidency. As a result, the memory of brave Guineans who were killed and raped in this struggle was obscured as well. Seeing Jean Ping, face-to-face last Friday, allowed the people of Guinea to do something they don’t often get a chance to do – tell someone who is among those responsible for bringing Alpha Conde to the presidency, to “go to hell!”
Original Jeune Afrique interview with Jean Ping in French

POTTAL-FII-BHANTAL FOUTAH-DJALLON USA: Massacre of September 28th, 2009. Three Years of Impunity!

MEMORANDUM OF POTTAL-FII-BHANTAL FOUTA-DJALlON

MASSACRE OF SEPTEMBER 28th, 2009.  THREE YEARS OF IMPUNITY!

Three years after the military junta-sponsored massacre at the opposition rally in Guinea in which victims were ethnically targeted, nearly 200 people were brutally murdered and at least 100 women were viciously raped in broad daylight, we are gathered here, at the United Nations Plaza, once again. We could easily read aloud the statement we produced last year because no progress has been made in holding accountable those who are accused of these crimes. This lack of progress is due to the impunity exercised within the government of Alpha Conde.

Much to the shock of Guineans and human rights groups, Mr. Conde protects and rewards the military officers accused of the crimes by appointing two of the primary perpetrators to his cabinet. Further, neither ECOWAS nor the Guinean government has taken a deposition from the primary mastermind of the massacre, Capt. Dadis Camara, now living in Burkina Faso. It is becoming more and more obvious that the Guinean government is determined not to prosecute the September 28 crimes. Given that Guinea has clearly demonstrated that it is unwilling and unable to prosecute the case, help from the international community is needed to get the case transferred to the International Criminal Court as soon as possible.

Justice delayed is justice denied. Justice for victims of the September 28 massacres is our primary goal. At the same time we must work to ensure that the people of Guinea never experience such a travesty again. While Mr. Alpha Conde was not at the helm when the September 28 massacre took place, his refusal to investigate and prosecute those responsible is only one example of the impunity with which he governs. This impunity, combined with undemocratic practices and ethnically-based policies, has resulted in illegal mass arrests, indefinite incarcerations, torture and extra-judicial killings. The dangers posed by Alpha Conde are on par to that of the military junta which committed the massacre.

The threat of genocide in Guinea is palpable. Genocide does not happen overnight. It builds up over a long period, with social exclusion, ethnic militia and paramilitary forces, political stalemate and pervasive corruption in a climate of economic hardships. All these conditions are at work in Guinea, silently gripping our country. No nations, no international institutions could claim ignorance about the ominous future that Guinea faces. Short of drastic and proactive measures, the country will continue its slide toward chaos, threatening, in the process, the stability of the whole West-Africa.

Today, we want to use this solemn occasion to put the Guinean government on notice that we WILL get justice for the victims and, in order to prevent another massacre, we will continue the pressure on Mr. Alpha Conde and his administration with intensity.

For the last 3 years, Pottal-Fii-Bhantal has worked relentlessly toward that end. Through our work, we have enjoyed tremendous support from Guinean citizens who, more than ever, are aware of the necessity of eradicating impunity if Guinea is to pull herself out of a legacy of totalitarian and military rule.

Today is an opportunity to remind all of us that there is no nobler fight than setting our country on the path of justice as a prerequisite for democracy. We are encouraged that Guinean citizens of all walks of life, ethnic backgrounds and political opinions are mobilized to honor the victims by pledging to never give up the fight to ensure that those responsible are prosecuted. We have been also honored by the benevolent support of activists, civil right leaders, civil servants of foreign governments as well as staff of international human rights and development agencies. We thank them from the bottom of our hearts in the name of the voiceless victims and their families in Guinea and around the world.

Pottal-Fii-Bhantal is calling on all segments of the Guinean population to mobilize in order avert the dangerous prospects hanging over our country. We encourage Guineans citizens to pursue all legal means of opposing a new dictatorship in our country. We are calling on the international community not look the other way, as it has done in last 50 years, while a tragedy is being prepared in our country. Given Guinea’s political legacy, the involvement of the international community is crucial for the country to be a true “emerging democracy”.

As we did last year, Pottal Fii-Bhantal is calling on all constituencies interested in building justice as a foundation for a genuine democracy in Guinea, to unite around the crucial program of fighting impunity and continue the pressures on the Guinean authorities.

To those who are living with the scars of the violence inflicted upon them, we are ensuring our unwavering support. We pray to All Mighty God to have mercy on the souls of those who have lost their lives for the emergence of democracy in Guinea.

Three years after the military junta-sponsored massacre at the opposition rally in Guinea in which victims were ethnically targeted, nearly 200 people were brutally murdered and at least 100 women were viciously raped in broad daylight, we are gathered here, at the United Nations Plaza, once again. We could easily read aloud the statement we produced last year because no progress has been made in holding accountable those who are accused of these crimes. This lack of progress is due to the impunity exercised within the government of Alpha Conde.

Much to the shock of Guineans and human rights groups, Mr. Conde protects and rewards the military officers accused of the crimes by appointing two of the primary perpetrators to his cabinet. Further, neither ECOWAS nor the Guinean government has taken a deposition from the primary mastermind of the massacre, Capt. Dadis Camara, now living in Burkina Faso. It is becoming more and more obvious that the Guinean government is determined not to prosecute the September 28 crimes. Given that Guinea has clearly demonstrated that it is unwilling and unable to prosecute the case, help from the international community is needed to get the case transferred to the International Criminal Court as soon as possible.

Justice delayed is justice denied. Justice for victims of the September 28 massacres is our primary goal. At the same time we must work to ensure that the people of Guinea never experience such a travesty again. While Mr. Alpha Conde was not at the helm when the September 28 massacre took place, his refusal to investigate and prosecute those responsible is only one example of the impunity with which he governs. This impunity, combined with undemocratic practices and ethnically-based policies, has resulted in illegal mass arrests, indefinite incarcerations, torture and extra-judicial killings. The dangers posed by Alpha Conde are on par to that of the military junta which committed the massacre.

The threat of genocide in Guinea is palpable. Genocide does not happen overnight. It builds up over a long period, with social exclusion, ethnic militia and paramilitary forces, political stalemate and pervasive corruption in a climate of economic hardships. All these conditions are at work in Guinea, silently gripping our country. No nations, no international institutions could claim ignorance about the ominous future that Guinea faces. Short of drastic and proactive measures, the country will continue its slide toward chaos, threatening, in the process, the stability of the whole West-Africa.

Today, we want to use this solemn occasion to put the Guinean government on notice that we WILL get justice for the victims and, in order to prevent another massacre, we will continue the pressure on Mr. Alpha Conde and his administration with intensity.

For the last 3 years, Pottal-Fii-Bhantal has worked relentlessly toward that end. Through our work, we have enjoyed tremendous support from Guinean citizens who, more than ever, are aware of the necessity of eradicating impunity if Guinea is to pull herself out of a legacy of totalitarian and military rule.

Today is an opportunity to remind all of us that there is no nobler fight than setting our country on the path of justice as a prerequisite for democracy. We are encouraged that Guinean citizens of all walks of life, ethnic backgrounds and political opinions are mobilized to honor the victims by pledging to never give up the fight to ensure that those responsible are prosecuted. We have been also honored by the benevolent support of activists, civil right leaders, civil servants of foreign governments as well as staff of international human rights and development agencies. We thank them from the bottom of our hearts in the name of the voiceless victims and their families in Guinea and around the world.

Pottal-Fii-Bhantal is calling on all segments of the Guinean population to mobilize in order avert the dangerous prospects hanging over our country. We encourage Guineans citizens to pursue all legal means of opposing a new dictatorship in our country. We are calling on the international community not look the other way, as it has done in last 50 years, while a tragedy is being prepared in our country. Given Guinea’s political legacy, the involvement of the international community is crucial for the country to be a true “emerging democracy”.

As we did last year, Pottal Fii-Bhantal is calling on all constituencies interested in building justice as a foundation for a genuine democracy in Guinea, to unite around the crucial program of fighting impunity and continue the pressures on the Guinean authorities.

To those who are living with the scars of the violence inflicted upon them, we are ensuring our unwavering support. We pray to All Mighty God to have mercy on the souls of those who have lost their lives for the emergence of democracy in Guinea.

Three years after the military junta-sponsored massacre at the opposition rally in Guinea in which victims were ethnically targeted, nearly 200 people were brutally murdered and at least 100 women were viciously raped in broad daylight, we are gathered here, at the United Nations Plaza, once again. We could easily read aloud the statement we produced last year because no progress has been made in holding accountable those who are accused of these crimes. This lack of progress is due to the impunity exercised within the government of Alpha Conde.

Much to the shock of Guineans and human rights groups, Mr. Conde protects and rewards the military officers accused of the crimes by appointing two of the primary perpetrators to his cabinet. Further, neither ECOWAS nor the Guinean government has taken a deposition from the primary mastermind of the massacre, Capt. Dadis Camara, now living in Burkina Faso. It is becoming more and more obvious that the Guinean government is determined not to prosecute the September 28 crimes. Given that Guinea has clearly demonstrated that it is unwilling and unable to prosecute the case, help from the international community is needed to get the case transferred to the International Criminal Court as soon as possible.

Justice delayed is justice denied. Justice for victims of the September 28 massacres is our primary goal. At the same time we must work to ensure that the people of Guinea never experience such a travesty again. While Mr. Alpha Conde was not at the helm when the September 28 massacre took place, his refusal to investigate and prosecute those responsible is only one example of the impunity with which he governs. This impunity, combined with undemocratic practices and ethnically-based policies, has resulted in illegal mass arrests, indefinite incarcerations, torture and extra-judicial killings. The dangers posed by Alpha Conde are on par to that of the military junta which committed the massacre.

The threat of genocide in Guinea is palpable. Genocide does not happen overnight. It builds up over a long period, with social exclusion, ethnic militia and paramilitary forces, political stalemate and pervasive corruption in a climate of economic hardships. All these conditions are at work in Guinea, silently gripping our country. No nations, no international institutions could claim ignorance about the ominous future that Guinea faces. Short of drastic and proactive measures, the country will continue its slide toward chaos, threatening, in the process, the stability of the whole West-Africa.

Today, we want to use this solemn occasion to put the Guinean government on notice that we WILL get justice for the victims and, in order to prevent another massacre, we will continue the pressure on Mr. Alpha Conde and his administration with intensity.

For the last 3 years, Pottal-Fii-Bhantal has worked relentlessly toward that end. Through our work, we have enjoyed tremendous support from Guinean citizens who, more than ever, are aware of the necessity of eradicating impunity if Guinea is to pull herself out of a legacy of totalitarian and military rule.

Today is an opportunity to remind all of us that there is no nobler fight than setting our country on the path of justice as a prerequisite for democracy. We are encouraged that Guinean citizens of all walks of life, ethnic backgrounds and political opinions are mobilized to honor the victims by pledging to never give up the fight to ensure that those responsible are prosecuted. We have been also honored by the benevolent support of activists, civil right leaders, civil servants of foreign governments as well as staff of international human rights and development agencies. We thank them from the bottom of our hearts in the name of the voiceless victims and their families in Guinea and around the world.

Pottal-Fii-Bhantal is calling on all segments of the Guinean population to mobilize in order avert the dangerous prospects hanging over our country. We encourage Guineans citizens to pursue all legal means of opposing a new dictatorship in our country. We are calling on the international community not look the other way, as it has done in last 50 years, while a tragedy is being prepared in our country. Given Guinea’s political legacy, the involvement of the international community is crucial for the country to be a true “emerging democracy”.

As we did last year, Pottal Fii-Bhantal is calling on all constituencies interested in building justice as a foundation for a genuine democracy in Guinea, to unite around the crucial program of fighting impunity and continue the pressures on the Guinean authorities.

To those who are living with the scars of the violence inflicted upon them, we are ensuring our unwavering support. We pray to All Mighty God to have mercy on the souls of those who have lost their lives for the emergence of democracy in Guinea.

The Board of Pottal-Fii-Bhantal Fouta-Djallon – USA

UN Envoy Due in Guinea Thursday to Defuse Political Tensions Before Presidential Poll Run-Off

UN envoy heads to Guinea to defuse political tensions before presidential poll run-off

15 September 2010 –The top United Nations official in West Africa is heading to Guinea tomorrow for talks with the country’s presidential candidates, electoral authorities and other prominent politicians to try to resolve the tensions that have led to deadly clashes ahead of the run-off round in long-awaited presidential elections.

Said Djinnit, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for West Africa, told the UN News Centre that he hopes the dialogue will help ensure there is no repeat of the political violence that claimed at least one life last weekend in the capital, Conakry.

“I am very concerned about the situation,” he said. “We all deplore the violence and we will do everything we can to assist Guinea to try to defuse the tensions.”

His office, known as UNOWA, is consulting closely with the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The run-off round of the presidential election is due to be held this Sunday, but Mr. Djinnit said technical and logistical problems “made it almost impossible” for the ballot to be successfully staged then.

He said he had received reports indicating that the run-off round may be postponed for two weeks.

Cellou Dalein Diallo and Alpha Conde will contest that round after they scored the highest number of votes of 24 candidates who entered the first round in June.

Those polls were widely considered to be the first free elections in a country that has been plagued by misrule, dictatorships and coups since independence in 1958.

But tensions have risen since then because of delays in counting the votes and technical problems associated with staging the second round.

The head of Guinea’s electoral commission reportedly died overnight on Monday, a week after he was convicted of falsifying results in the first round of the presidential race.

Mr. Djinnit urged Guinea’s political players not to waste the opportunity to make progress, given it comes less than a year after members of the military shot more than 150 unarmed demonstrators who had been participating in a peaceful pro-democracy protest on the streets of Conakry. Countless others were sexually assaulted or otherwise physically attacked.

International condemnation, including from senior UN officials, followed and a Government of national unity was established in January as part of a transition to a more democratic order.

“They have made so much progress,” Mr. Djinnit noted. “They are so close to victory and success. It would be so sad if they missed it at this late hour.”

GUINEA: International Criminal Court Finds Crimes Against Humanity

ICC finds crimes against humanity in Guinea
Sat Feb 20, 2010 8:37am GMT

By Saliou Samb

CONAKRY (Reuters) – An International Criminal Court inquiry has found it is likely that crimes against humanity were committed during a bloody crackdown on protesters in Guinea last year, the ICC’s deputy prosecutor said on Friday.

“As the deputy prosecutor of the ICC, I have gathered from this visit the feeling that crimes against humanity were committed,” Fatou Bensouda told reporters.

“On the basis of the information that we have received from this visit, we will pursue our preliminary investigation,” she added.

Guinean security forces on September 28 killed more than 150 people who had gathered at a rally opposing the ruling military junta, and raped scores of women, according to the United Nations and human rights groups.

Bensouda added that she felt the ICC had the right to intervene in the case, and insisted any prosecution of crimes against humanity must be pursued in a timely and independent manner.

The ICC is cooperating with local justice authorities in the West African nation, the world’s No. 1 supplier of aluminium ore bauxite.

A United Nations report released in December blamed then-leader of the junta Captain Moussa Dadis Camara for the massacre.

Camara is convalescing in Burkina Faso after an assassination attempt by one of his own soldiers, and his deputy General Sekouba Konate has set up a transitional government tasked with setting elections.

Camara and his junta allied took power in a bloodless coup in December 2008.

Int’l. Contact Group on Guinea: Military Force and Civilian Personnel Needed to Help Return to Civilian Rule

January 28, 2010

Military force to end Guinea power crisis
News – Africa news
The International Contact Group on Guinea (ICGG) said Wednesday that the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) should send a combined force of military and civilian personnel to oversee Guinea’s return to civilian rule through the holding of elections within six months.

ICGG suggested that an international military force should be sent to Guinea to help in reforming the country’s military.

The contact group of influential international states and groups, including co-chairs, the AU, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the UN, said the UN and the AU should send the force urgently.

Guinea slipped into a political crisis following the death of long-serving President Lansana Conte, when a group of soldiers, led by Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, effectively seized power in the West African nation, earning suspension from AU.

The AU formed the contact group to facilitate political negotiations, leading to the holding of free and fair parliamentary and presidential elections.

However, the Guinean junta refused to cooperate with AU and its leaders and this earned it targeted sanctions.

In a communique issued after its 10th meeting in Addis Ababa, the contact group said the three international organizations must immediately initiate negotiations with the Guinean transitional government to facilitate the deployment.

‘The group appealed to all partners of Guinea to support the totality of these initiatives and to provide the necessary assistance for their implementation,’ it said.

Speaking during the opening session of the contact group meeting, AU chief Jean Ping said the formation of a temporary government to oversee Guinea’s return to civilian rule was a step that the organisation was ready to support.

In its recommendations, the contact group said EU, the International Organisation of the Francophonie (OIF), all members of the group, should seek for funds to help the Guinean authorities to smoothly complete the return to civilian rule.

‘The group urged ECOWAS, UN, EU, OIF, as well as the World Bank, to offer financial assistance, to help in completing this transitional process,’ the group said.

Guinea needs to undertake a fresh voters’ registration exercise for the conduct of the presidential elections.

The Guinean interim President, General Sekouba Konate, is leading the efforts to return the country to civilian rule following a military clash that ended with the near fatal shooting of junta leader, Camara, who is currently recuperating in Burkina Faso.

The group called on the Guinean politicians to support Konate and the Interim Prime Minister Jean-Marie Dore to lead the transitional government.

They said the interim government, to be formed as part of the 15 January agreements signed in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, should be put in place soon.

It said the reforms in Guinean defence and security sector should cover aspects aimed at improving the professionalism of the armed forces.

Addis Ababa – Pana 28/01/2010