Afrique Teftis condemns shrinking civic space in Guinea »PACA’s economic and political message

Its decision to describe the FNDC as a “de facto group” has no legal basis.

The Guinean Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, Mori Konde, announced in a ministerial decree published on the evening of Monday 8 August, the dissolution of the National Front for the Defense of the Constitution (FNDC) – a coalition of political parties, trade unions and civil society actors – which organized large demonstrations across the country. The country is against constitutional manipulation and the third term of ousted President Alpha Condé (2010-2021) who was overthrown following a military coup on September 5, 2021.

As evidence of this, Law L/2005/013/AN establishing the system of associations in the Republic of Guinea and Law L/2015/009 on the maintenance of public order in Guinea on which the authorities based their orders, among other texts, do not mention any “assembly by virtue of Indeed”.

This decision is also a flagrant violation of Articles 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and 34 and 8 of Paragraph 2 of the Guinean Transition. Charter.

Already, on the night of Friday to Saturday 30 July 2022, the National Coordinator of the Council, Omar Sylla known as “Funiki Mengwe” was arrested in his home by masked and heavily armed soldiers and a few days later, Ibrahima Diallo was in charge of Citizens Movement operations and Seiko Yaya Bari, Secretary The executive of the Union of Republican Forces (UFR), a Guinean opposition party, was also arrested and placed under arrest at the central Conakry home.

They were charged with “participation in a prohibited gathering, looting, destruction of public and private property, arson, assault and deliberate battery” following the demonstrations of July 28 and 29, and their bloody suppression by the defense and security forces, which officially caused five deaths and dozens of injuries.

Afrique Teftis is concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in Guinea and the shrinking of civilian space by the ruling military junta. We regret the lack of honest dialogue that led to the situation faltering.

African activists are calling on the transitional authorities to avoid escalation and reconsider their decision to dissolve the movement of citizens, lift the ban on demonstrations since last May, and ensure the exercise of the rights and freedoms granted to citizens.

We also call on the transitional government to favor consultation and dialogue for a quick exit from the crisis.

Afrique Technistis is calling for an investigation by the Guinean government to shed light on the recorded deaths and human rights violations observed during the demonstrations.

Finally, we call on the international community and human rights organizations in Africa and around the world to look into the situation in Guinea to bring the ruling junta to its senses and prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.