HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS SAYS HR SITUATION IMPROVING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000096 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/11/2021 TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC GV SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS SAYS HR SITUATION IMPROVING REF: CONAKRY 00032 Classified By: Ambassador Patricia Moller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In a meeting with A/PolChief human rights activist Mamadi Kaba said that the human rights situation in Guinea has improved since Interim President Sekouba Konate spoke to troops about supporting the transition government on January 12 (reftel). The military, while still very powerful, has recently been subdued, apparently nervous about a civilian-led transition and possible ICC indictments. Kaba also said that civil society has floundered in the aftermath of the September 28 massacre, which terrorized civilians who "just want stability now." Kaba expressed concern about human rights violations in the Forest Region where some Dadis supporters are attempting to maintain their heightened status under the former regime. END SUMMARY. -------------- MILITARY SUBDUED -------------- ¶2. (C) Kaba, a human rights advocate and President of Rencontre Africaine de Droits de L'Homme (RADDHO),left Guinea nearly three weeks after the September 28 massacre in fear of his life. Since his return to Guinea in January, Kaba said security forces seem to be restraining themselves in order to "make a good impression" on the new civilian government. He said many of them, regardless of their rank, fear they will be singled out and prosecuted for human rights abuses, and are therefore trying to win the favor of the new government. Kaba also said that the prospect that any of them could be indicted by the ICC has sent a chill through the entire system, causing many of them to fall tentatively in line behind Konate and Dore as a way to shield themselves from possible indictments. ¶3. (C) Though the situation has improved, he said that a long term program for military restructuring is the only true way to ensure human rights are respected in Guinea. He also noted that while there continues to be human rights abuses perpetrated by "uniformed men," the frequency of these incidents is decreasing. In a different meeting with A/PolChief, an outside observer verified Kaba's comments, explaining that "the military just doesn't walk with the same swagger as it used to." -------------- HR CONCERNS IN THE FOREST REGION -------------- ¶4. (C) Kaba said that while much of Guinea is becoming more stable, there continue to be reports of human rights violations in the Forest Region. He argued that the Forest Region is still a venue for "Dadis extremists" to act with impunity. Kaba explained that Dadis' supporters, many of whom are Forestier, are still hoping for Dadis' return. Under Dadis' leadership, many of his supporters were given gifts of rice, t-shirts, money, vehicles, military and militia jobs. According to Kaba, Forestier violence is not based on ideals or ethnicity, but on a fear that they will be sidelined by a Malinke, Soussou, or Peuhl dominated government. However, Kaba argued, violence could be quelled if Dadis supporters are assured that their status will be respected in a civilian-led government. Kaba said that in a meeting with Dore, he emphasized that the transition must focus on re-energizing the Forestier, particularly the youth, toward democratic ends. Kaba said that he plans to continue to work with Dore to implement reforms in the Forest region. -------------- MEMORIES OF SEPTEMBER 28 -------------- ¶5. (C) Kaba said that while civil society is slowly reactivating, the community is having difficulty mobilizing in the aftermath of the September 28 massacre. According to Kaba, there has been very little assistance given to victims in terms of psychological counseling. In the case of rape victims, Kaba said that many have been disowned by their families and cast away to fend for themselves. At the moment, human rights and medical NGOs are shouldering the weight of treating these victims and providing them with alternate homes. However, he said, most of the women who were raped at the stadium are unlikely to be reintegrated back into their CONAKRY 00000096 002 OF 002 own families. ¶6. (C) He also said that rather than energizing the Guinean population to unite against impunity and dQtatorship, the September 28 violence sent fear through Guinea and severely diminished civil society activity in fear of reparations for their actions. In the months after the massacre, the CNDD reportedly targeted and harassed many members of the human rights community, and they still remain hesitant to continue their work. Kaba is actively working with the new Prime Minister to ensure that appropriate rights, such as freedom of speech, are guaranteed during the transition. Without dialogue and civil society advocacy, Kaba said, the transition will not lead to democracy. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶7. (C) Kaba seems to believe that a civilian-led government in and of itself will improve the human rights situation in Guinea. In the past, Guineans have tended to negotiate and acquiesce to the whims of the government in power, and Kaba believes that this situation may not be any different. If what Kaba says is true, and civil society has lost its momentum in the aftermath of September 28, the transition may not have an appropriate check on its decision making. Moller