Human Rights Abuses in Guinea Continue

April 29, 2009

Promoting broad respect for internationally recognized human rights is a fundamental tenet of a vibrant democracy.  As such, the United States government notes with regret the continued lack of respect for human rights in Guinea.

The U.S. Government’s 2008 human rights report on Guinea outlines significant on-going human rights violations. Torture, inhumane prison conditions, prolonged pre-trial detentions, violence against women, female genital mutilation, trafficking in persons, and freedom of the press are of grave concern.  These same human rights abuses have been noted in reports from previous years, indicating a general lack of progress to improve the human rights situation in Guinea.  The U.S. government urges the Guinean government to implement stronger measures to increase respect for human rights in Guinea, in accordance with Guinea’s international commitments under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

One of the key fundamental rights outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the freedom of people to choose their government.  The continued rule of the military junta, which illegitimately seized power on December 23, violates this fundamental freedom.  The United States reaffirms its call on the CNDD to hold free, fair and transparent elections as soon as possible this year to restore constitutional civilian rule in Guinea.

Background:

Each year, the U.S. Department of State submits Country Reports on Human Rights Practices in countries around the world to the U.S. Congress.  These reports cover internationally recognized individual, civil, political, and worker’s rights, as set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, an agreement to which Guinea is signatory. 

To read the complete 2008 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Guinea, please visit the U.S. Embassy website at http://conakry.usembassy.gov/.