MINISTER ENCOURAGES VIGILANTE JUSTICE, CALLS FOR

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000316 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC GV SUBJECT: MINISTER ENCOURAGES VIGILANTE JUSTICE, CALLS FOR BANDITS TO BE BURNED ALIVE ¶1. (U) The Minister of State at the Presidency in Charge of High Crimes and Banditry, Captain Tiegboro Camara, met with city governors and community leaders on June 4 to discuss the security situation in the capital. During the meeting, he claimed to be speaking on behalf of CNDD President Moussa Dadis Camara when he encouraged local citizens to take justice into their own hands by "burning bandits alive." He referred to the new policy as "Law 4550," which he explained referred to the fact that it only costs 4500 GnF to buy a liter of gas, and another 50 GnF to buy a box of matches. Tiegboro admitted that banditry remains a problem and asked citizens to help the CNDD bring the situation under control. He also listed two public "hotlines" which citizens could call to report incidences of banditry. ¶2. (U) Dr. Sow, President of the Guinean Human Rights Association (OGDH),told Pol LES that he found the law "very alarming." He publicly condemned the policy in an interview with Radio France International. Frederic Foromo, a respected Guinean human rights lawyer, said he was surprised that the GoG would endorse such a policy since it will likely only serve to put more people at risk. He pointed out that many criminals, many of whom are soldiers, are usually heavily armed whereas citizens generally are not. Foromo told Pol LES that all citizens, including accused criminals, are entitled to due process. He lamented the fact that the new "law" signals a further deterioration of the overall rule of law. Several political party leaders made similar comments. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶3. (U) "Law 4550" illustrates the CNDD's continued lack of respect for, or even understanding of, fundamental human rights. While the law is disturbing, it remains to be seen whether or not citizens will test it. Vigilante justice continues to be a problem in general, especially in the interior, but it is still relatively rare. Asking citizens to take action against armed bandits, many of whom are military, seems a tall order. END COMMENT. RASPOLIC