Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CONAKRY316
2009-06-05 14:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
MINISTER ENCOURAGES VIGILANTE JUSTICE, CALLS FOR
how-toVZCZCXRO1778 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHRY #0316 1561428 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 051428Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3722 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
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
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
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