Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CONAKRY330
2009-06-10 17:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
LAWYERS HOLD TO STRIKE DESPITE THREATS
how-toVZCZCXRO5580 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHRY #0330 1611730 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 101730Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3734 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
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
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
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