Human rights in Guinea
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Human rights in Guinea, a nation of approximately 10,069,000 people in West Africa,[1] are a contentious issue. In its 2012 Freedom in the World report, Freedom House named Guinea "partly free" for the second year in a row, an improvement over its former status as one of the least free countries in Africa.[2]
The United States
Historical and political situation
Guinea gained its independence from France in 1958.
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Sekou Touré regime (1954–1984)
In December 1970 the Archbishop of Conakry, Raymond-Marie Tchidimbo, was sentenced to hard labour for refusing to read government documents from the pulpit calling on Christians to support the government against foreign imperialism. He and at least a thousand other political prisoners remained detained in 1977.[9] A report published in June 1977 by the International League for Human Rights estimated the number of political prisoners at over 3000, alleging prisoners were subject to starvation, torture, murder, and arbitrary execution. The most notorious prison was Camp Boiro, which included amongst its prisoners Diallo Telli.[9]
After severe criticism of its human rights situation, and the withholding of aid by the United States under the Food for Peace Act, the government attempted a rapprochement strategy with its neighbours and the West, and claimed to be improving its internal situation.[10] In August and October 1977, however, the government fired upon a series of economic protests and killed an unknown number of women. They then began to round up those thought responsible. By 1978 reports were estimating the number of political prisoners had grown to 4000.[10]
In late 1978 President
A May 1980 grenade attack on the
In September 1982, Touré held a news conference proudly proclaiming that there were no more political prisoners being held in the country. He could not explain the fate of approximately 2900 people arrested since 1969 who remained unaccounted for.[17] Reports of the number of prisoners at Boiro continued to range from several hundred to thousands. Torture methods reportedly used at the prison included bondage, forced burning with cigarettes, and electric shocks applied to the head and genitals.[18] After Touré's death in March 1984, major political changes were afoot.[19]
Lansana Conté regime (1984–2008)
On 3 April 1984 the military took control of the country, suspended the constitution, dissolved the ruling
A coup d'état was announced six hours following Conté's death on 22 December 2008.[20] On 27 September 2009, the day before planned demonstrations Conakry, the government declared demonstrations illegal. Thousands of protestors defied the ban, assembling in a soccer stadium. 157 were left dead after the level of violence used by security forces escalated.[21]
Human Rights organizations demanded justice for the killing of more than 150 peaceful demonstrators by Guinean security forces on September 28, 2009, in a stadium. The domestic investigation begun in February 2010 and concluded in 2017, where 13 suspects were charged and 11 were sent for trial. However, some of the suspects continued being in an influential position. The trial was last scheduled for July, but no progress was made in the case. Association of Victims, Relatives and Friends of September 28, 2009 (AVIPA), Equal Rights for All (MDT), the Guinean Human Rights Organization (OGDH), the International Federation for Human Rights, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch have made the call of justice.[22]
Current issues (2010–present)
Legal system
Sixteen people were sentenced to death in 2011, which is apparently at odds with President Condé's assertion that Guinea is abolitionist.[23]
Arbitrary arrest and torture
While the constitution prohibits
Minority and women's rights
Although 50 people were arrested for rape in 2011, no prosecutions were made.[3] A 2003 study revealed that more than 20% of women at a local hospital were there for sexual violence. The situation is reported to remain unchanged, and more than half of rape victims are girls between 11 and 15 years. Many rapes occur at school.[3]
The country lacks any laws prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities.[3]
Guinea is ethnically diverse, and people tend to identify strongly with their ethnic group. Racial rhetoric during political campaigns resulted in the deaths of at least two people in 2011.[3]
Although homosexuality is illegal, no one has been charged for at least a decade. Same sex relations are considered a strong taboo, and the prime minister declared in 2010 that he doesn't consider sexual orientation a legitimate human right.[3]
Freedom of speech
Media and censorship
Media freedom is guaranteed by the constitution.[2] Journalists critical of the government are, however, reportedly harassed and arrested by security forces.[2]
Freedom of religion
Religious rights are generally respected, though it is claimed non-Muslims are discriminated against in the allocation of government employment. Restrictions exist on Muslims' freedom to convert to other religions.[2]
International treaties
Guinea's stances on international human rights treaties are as follows:
International treaties | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Treaty | Organization | Introduced | Signed | Ratified |
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide[24]
|
United Nations | 1948 | – | 2000 |
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination[25] | United Nations | 1966 | 1966 | 1977 |
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights[26] | United Nations | 1966 | 1967 | 1978 |
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights[27] | United Nations | 1966 | 1967 | 1978 |
First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights[28] | United Nations | 1966 | 1975 | 1993 |
Convention on the Non-Applicability of Statutory Limitations to War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity[29] | United Nations | 1968 | – | 1971 |
International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid[30]
|
United Nations | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 |
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women[31]
|
United Nations | 1979 | 1980 | 1982 |
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment[32]
|
United Nations | 1984 | 1986 | 1989 |
Convention on the Rights of the Child[33] | United Nations | 1989 | – | 1990 |
Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty[34]
|
United Nations | 1989 | – | – |
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families[35]
|
United Nations | 1990 | – | 2000 |
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women[36]
|
United Nations | 1999 | – | – |
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict[37]
|
United Nations | 2000 | – | – |
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography[38]
|
United Nations | 2000 | – | 2011 |
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities[39] | United Nations | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities[40] | United Nations | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance[41] | United Nations | 2006 | – | – |
Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights[42] | United Nations | 2008 | – | – |
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure[43] | United Nations | 2011 | – | – |
See also
Notes
- 1.^ Note that the "Year" signifies the "Year covered". Therefore the information for the year marked 2008 is from the report published in 2009, and so on.
- 2.^ As of 1 January.
- 3.^ The 1982 report covers the year 1981 and the first half of 1982, and the following 1984 report covers the second half of 1982 and the whole of 1983. In the interest of simplicity, these two aberrant "year and a half" reports have been split into three year-long reports through interpolation.
References
- ^ Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division (2009). "World Population Prospects, Table A.1" (PDF). 2008 revision. United Nations. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
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(help) - ^ a b c d e f Freedom House (2012). "Freedom in the World 2012: Guinea". Freedom House. Archived from the original on 2018-11-16. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
- ^ Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (2012). "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011: Guinea". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
- ^ Freedom House (2012). "Country ratings and status, FIW 1973–2012" (XLS). Retrieved 2012-08-22.
- ^ a b Amnesty International (1969). "French-speaking Africa". Amnesty International Report 1969. London: Amnesty International Publications. p. 8. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ Amnesty International (1971). "Africa". Amnesty International Report 1971. London: Amnesty International Publications. p. 35. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ Amnesty International (1972). "Africa". Amnesty International Report 1972. London: Amnesty International Publications. p. 23. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ Amnesty International (1974). "Guinea". Amnesty International Report 1974. London: Amnesty International Publications. p. 28. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ a b Amnesty International (1977). "Guinea (Republic of)". Amnesty International Report 1977. London: Amnesty International Publications. pp. 74–76. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ a b Amnesty International (1978). "Guinea (Republic of)". Amnesty International Report 1978. London: Amnesty International Publications. pp. 53–56. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ Amnesty International (1979). "Guinea (the Revolutionary People's Republic of)". Amnesty International Report 1979. London: Amnesty International Publications. pp. 21–22. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ Amnesty International (1980). "Guinea". Amnesty International Report 1980 (PDF). London: Amnesty International Publications. pp. 51–52. Archived from the original on 2011-06-26. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ Amnesty International (1981). "Guinea". Amnesty International Report 1981 (PDF). London: Amnesty International Publications. pp. 46–48. Archived from the original on 2014-08-20. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-02-05.
- ISBN 0810846349.
- ^ Amnesty International (1982). "Guinea". Amnesty International Report 1982. London: Amnesty International Publications. pp. 42–44. Archived from the original on 2019-02-06. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ Amnesty International (1983). "Guinea". Amnesty International Report 1983 (PDF). London: Amnesty International Publications. pp. 43–45. Archived from the original on 2013-07-06. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ Amnesty International (1984). "Guinea". Amnesty International Report 1984 (PDF). London: Amnesty International Publications. pp. 53–56. Archived from the original on 2014-06-14. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ a b c d e Amnesty International (1985). "Guinea". Amnesty International Report 1985. London: Amnesty International Publications. pp. 50–53. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ "Military-led group announces coup in Guinea", Associated Press, 23 December 2008.
- ^ Guinea military kills 157 in protest crackdown: rights group, CBC News
- ^ "Guinea: Stadium Massacre Victims Await Justice". Human Rights Watch. 28 September 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
- ^ a b c Amnesty International (2012). "Annual Report 2012: Guinea". Amnesty International. Archived from the original on 2014-12-29. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
- ^ United Nations. "United Nations Treaty Collection: Chapter IV: Human Rights: 1. Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Paris, 9 December 1948". Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
- ^ United Nations. "United Nations Treaty Collection: Chapter IV: Human Rights: 2. International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. New York, 7 March 1966". Archived from the original on 11 February 2011. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
- ^ United Nations. "United Nations Treaty Collection: Chapter IV: Human Rights: 3. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. New York, 16 December 1966". Archived from the original on 17 September 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
- ^ United Nations. "United Nations Treaty Collection: Chapter IV: Human Rights: 4. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. New York, 16 December 1966". Archived from the original on 1 September 2010. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
- ^ United Nations. "United Nations Treaty Collection: Chapter IV: Human Rights: 5. Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. New York, 16 December 1966". Archived from the original on 2019-03-24. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
- ^ United Nations. "United Nations Treaty Collection: Chapter IV: Human Rights: 6. Convention on the non-applicability of statutory limitations to war crimes and crimes against humanity. New York, 26 November 1968". Archived from the original on 2018-11-16. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
- ^ United Nations. "United Nations Treaty Collection: Chapter IV: Human Rights: 7. International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid. New York, 30 November 1973". Archived from the original on 18 July 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
- ^ United Nations. "United Nations Treaty Collection: Chapter IV: Human Rights: 8. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. New York, 18 December 1979". Archived from the original on 23 August 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
- ^ United Nations. "United Nations Treaty Collection: Chapter IV: Human Rights: 9. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. New York, 10 December 1984". Archived from the original on 8 November 2010. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
- ^ United Nations. "United Nations Treaty Collection: Chapter IV: Human Rights: 11. Convention on the Rights of the Child. New York, 20 November 1989". Archived from the original on 11 February 2014. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
- ^ United Nations. "United Nations Treaty Collection: Chapter IV: Human Rights: 12. Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty. New York, 15 December 1989". Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
- ^ United Nations. "United Nations Treaty Collection: Chapter IV: Human Rights: 13. International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. New York, 18 December 1990". Archived from the original on 25 August 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
- ^ United Nations. "United Nations Treaty Collection: Chapter IV: Human Rights: 8b. Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. New York, 6 October 1999". Archived from the original on 2011-05-20. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
- ^ United Nations. "United Nations Treaty Collection: Chapter IV: Human Rights: 11b. Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. New York, 25 May 2000". Archived from the original on 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
- ^ United Nations. "United Nations Treaty Collection: Chapter IV: Human Rights: 11c. Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. New York, 25 May 2000". Archived from the original on 2013-12-13. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
- ^ United Nations. "United Nations Treaty Collection: Chapter IV: Human Rights: 15. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. New York, 13 December 2006". Archived from the original on 19 August 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
- ^ United Nations. "United Nations Treaty Collection: Chapter IV: Human Rights: 15a. Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. New York, 13 December 2006". Archived from the original on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
- ^ United Nations. "United Nations Treaty Collection: Chapter IV: Human Rights: 16. International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. New York, 20 December 2006". Archived from the original on 2019-07-17. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
- ^ United Nations. "United Nations Treaty Collection: Chapter IV: Human Rights: 3a. Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. New York, 10 December 2008". Archived from the original on 2012-07-18. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
- ^ United Nations. "United Nations Treaty Collection: Chapter IV: Human Rights: 11d. Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure . New York, 19 December 2011. New York, 10 December 2008". Archived from the original on 25 August 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
External links
- Reports
- Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2011 by the United States Department of State
- 2012 Human rights report Archived 2014-12-29 at the Wayback Machine by Amnesty International
- Freedom in the World 2012 Report Archived 2018-11-16 at the Wayback Machine, by Freedom House
- International organizations
- Guinea Archived 2014-12-21 at the Wayback Machine at Amnesty International
- Guinea at Human Rights Watch
- Guinea at FIDH
- Guinea at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
- Guinea Archived 2020-09-23 at the Wayback Machine at UNICEF
- Djibouti at the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) (also available in French)