Image: [File: John Wessels/AFP]
Liberal International’s Human Rights Committee (LI HRC) expressed concern over the increasing violence used by the Guinean police in order to disperse demonstrators at the 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva.
Read the statement:
STATEMENT ON THE VIOLENCE BY THE MILITARFY JUNTA AGAINST DEMONSTRORS OF THE “GUINEAN FORCES VIVES” IN GUINEA
Liberal International (LI), the world federation of liberal political parties, is deeply concerned by the recent escalation of violence against demonstrators in Guinea. On 10 May 2023 the bloody repression of the peaceful demonstrators from the “Guinean Forces Vives” – an opposition group composed of parties, unions and civil society organizations currently protesting the military junta in power in Guinea – left seven people dead and dozens wounded. Liberal International deplores this repression of fundamental rights and freedoms by the military junta that currently rules over the west African country, including the freedom to demonstrate in the streets and public places.
Since the military junta seized power through a coup d’état in 2021, there have been multiple protests that have turned deadly due to excessive force used by the police to disperse the demonstrations. Liberal International is alarmed at the frequent use of violence by the police to disperse the protests.
In recent years, west Africa has expanded a foundation for liberal democracy from Senegal to Gambia. Liberal International regrets that the government in Guinea refuses to be part of this positive transition towards progress and greater freedom.
Liberal International urges the international community to work together to help realise the restoration of civilian government and the rule of law in Guinea, as demanded by the protestors and opposition political parties. Further, Liberal International urges the international community to support the sanctions imposed by the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States.
Liberal International remains very concerned about the use of firearms by Guinean defense and security forces to disperse demonstrators. This recurring practice has resulted in the death by shooting of 24 demonstrators since the junta came to power; that the deaths are being denied, without investigation, by the Guinean police leaves the deceased demonstrators and their families denied any form of justice.
Recommendations
Liberal International calls on the transitional authorities, the international community, the UN Human Rights Council, its member states and the African Union to urge the military junta to:
Lift the ban on demonstrations in the streets and public squares.
Open serious investigations without delay to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators and sponsors of these crimes.
Define a swift roadmap and date towards free and democratic elections.
