LAWYERS HOLD TO STRIKE DESPITE THREATS

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000330 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM ELAB PGOV PREL KDEM ASEC GV SUBJECT: LAWYERS HOLD TO STRIKE DESPITE THREATS REF: A. CONAKRY 0221 ¶B. CONAKRY 0287 ¶C. CONAKRY 0296 ¶1. (U) Members of the Guinean Bar Association, along with many individuals employed in the judicial sector, including judges, officially launched a labor strike on Monday, June 8. Unlike other strikes in Guinea, which generally involve economic demands, the legal sector is demanding that the CNDD immediately abolish the parallel justice system embodied in the Bureau of Conflicts (reftels). CNDD President Moussa Dadis Camara initially responded to the strike with threats, publicly firing one judge and threatening to fire others. However, he later retracted the dismissal. ¶2. (U) The Guinean Bar issued a subsequent declaration on June 9 affirming their intent to maintain the strike until Dadis agrees to meet with them and address key issues. Contacts report that the lawyers are committed to the strike and will not back down until Dadis gets rid of the Bureau of Conflicts. Mohamed Aly Thiam, a spokesperson for the judges, publicly stated that they respect Dadis, but must also defend their rights. Thiam emphasized that the strike is not intended to challenge the CNDD nor spark an open confrontation with Dadis. Rather, he said the issues need to be addressed with dignity and respect. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The creation of a parallel justice system and the overall lack of rule of law since the December 23 coup has raised many human rights concerns within the international community. Private citizens have quietly been expressing their concerns, but have seemed unwilling to speak out more forcibly in defense of basic human rights. The lawyer's strike represents the first public, Guinean-driven demonstration of concern, which is a positive step forward. Unlike most other labor strikes in Guinea, Dadis cannot simply make this one go away by throwing money at it. END COMMENT. RASPOLIC