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

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HUMAN RIGHTS WORKING GROUP
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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).

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CULTURE OF IMPUNITY
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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."

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COMMENT
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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