HUMAN RIGHTS WORKING GROUP DISCUSSES CURRENT

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000392 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC GV SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS WORKING GROUP DISCUSSES CURRENT ABUSES IN GUINEA REF: CONAKRY 0368 HUMAN RIGHTS WORKING GROUP DISCUSSES CURRENT ABUSES IN GUINEA ¶1. SUMMARY. At the most recent Embassy-hosted Human Rights Working Group, discussion among representatives from human rights organizations and civil society groups examined human rights abuses in Guinea since the coup d'etat. Speakers included a Human Rights Watch representative and two well-known human rights lawyers. Discussion among the participants grew animated as they recounted a series of abuses and deliberated responses. This discussion may well have contributed to the Forces Vives' boycott of a June 23 meeting with CNDD President Dadis. END SUMMARY -------------- HUMAN RIGHTS WORKING GROUP -------------- ¶2. On June 19, Embassy hosted the monthly meeting of the Human Rights Working Group (HRWG). A concept introduced by Ambassador Carter in 2008, the working group attracts about 50 representatives from human rights and civil society organizations each month to discuss a human rights-related topic. A lively and revealing question and answer period generally follows. Since its launching a year ago, the working group has evolved into the most dynamic and influential forum in Guinea for the discussion of human rights and deomocracy issues. This month's topic was the current state of human rights in Guinea. ¶3. The meeting coincided with the visit of Corinne Dufka, Senior Researcher for Human Rights Watch, based in Senegal. Human Rights Watch's April 27, 2009 report, "Guinea: Rein in the Soldiers - Armed Robbery, Extortion, and Intimidation under the New Government," based on Ms. Dufka's investigations received considerable press and attention from the National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD). -------------- CULTURE OF IMPUNITY -------------- ¶4. Ms. Dufka, along with two lawyers, Frederic Loua of the NGO Equal Rights for All (MDT),a prison advocacy group, and Mahamoud Troare,a well known human rights lawyer, were featured speakers. Loua addressed the inhumane conditions in Guinean jails and the widespread criminality among soldiers; Troare first addressed the problem of the parallel judicial system, and secondly, the pronouncement by Thiegboro Camara, Secretary of State for Special Services, Anti-Narcotics, and Organized Banditry, that any thief caught by the public should be burned to death. Ms. Dufka's presentation was widely anticipated and she spoke ardently of the human rights crisis in Guinea. She stressed that a culture of impunity has eroded Guinean society and urged the participants to act for their country as only they can. ¶5. Participants grew animated as they recounted disturbing incidents at the hands of soldiers, including murders, torture, and threats. They explored different courses of action, and engaged with Troare on the topic of judicial corruption. Dufka, blunt in her assessments of the CNDD, reminded the participants that many of those responsible for the estimated 180 deaths during the 2007 uprising were now in power and protected by a culture of impunity. The DCM, who chaired the meeting, described the atmosphere as "electric." -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶12. Although participants at the HRWG represent leading human rights and civic organizations, they often appear reluctant to organize themselves or to use the HRWG network to further pressing causes. However, a few days after the HRWG met, the Forces Vives -for the first time - boycotted a meeting with CNDD President Dadis at the Palais de Peuple (reftel). It is possible that Friday morning's discussion at the Embassy galvanized those who are also members of the Forces Vives. The Embassy is planning a film series highlighting social nonviolent movements as many HRWG members are unfamiliar with those epic stories and the historic changes they have brought about. END COMMENT. BROKENSHIRE