Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10CONAKRY96
2010-02-11 09:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:  

HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS SAYS HR SITUATION IMPROVING

Tags:  PGOV PREL ASEC GV 
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DE RUEHRY #0096/01 0420920
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O 110920Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4462
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
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)

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.


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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

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