Rights group accuses security forces of rape and murder

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Saturday 8 July 2006

GUINEA: Rights group accuses security forces of rape and murder


©  Maseco Conde/IRIN

Protesters during a nationwide strike in June.

CONAKRY, 7 Jul 2006 (IRIN) - Security forces in Guinea shot dead, beat and raped civilians during a student demonstration in June that was touched off by a nationwide strike for lower prices for fuel and rice, a human rights group said.

New York-based Human Rights Watch, citing a group of local civil society organisations, said in a report on Thursday that 21 people were killed nationwide by gunfire during the demonstrations on 12 June. The government has said 11 people were killed.

“The Guinean government cannot allow its security forces to get away with killing unarmed protesters and attacking bystanders,” said Peter Takirambudde, Africa director for HRW. “The lethal use of force against protestors was wholly disproportionate and inappropriate in the circumstances.”

HRW said it interviewed more than 50 victims and witnesses to the violence. Most of them requested anonymity. The government of President Lansana Conte had no immediate response to the report.

The strike against the high cost of living, led by labour unions, was already in its fifth day when students protested. They were angry that their national baccalaureate exams were delayed because teachers had joined the strike.

Students converged in downtown Conakry, calling for the government to resign, when they clashed with security forces.

A taxi driver told HRW that students fled as anti-riot forces beat them with clubs.

“It was total panic. Then some students came back and started throwing rocks. The police responded by firing their rifles straight into the crowd,” the taxi driver said. “I don’t know if it was just one policeman firing, or several. The students fled again, and the police chased them after clubbing those they could, and kicking those who fell to the ground. I saw four dead.”

HRW said that as protesters fled into neighbourhoods, police and gendarmes pursued them. Two women said they were raped.

A 19-year-old high school student said she was preparing lunch in the courtyard when a large group of police officers arrived.

“I saw them hitting some of my brothers and I ran into my house. One of the policemen came into my room,” she said. “With his hand, he ripped my shirt in front. Then he raped me. His gun was pressing on my shoulder. Later, he came back and pressed a knife to my head. I thought he was going to kill me.”

HRW also said students and others set up barricades, burned tyres and cars and threw rocks at security forces in Conakry and other towns. Protesters vandalised several government installations in Labe, the report said.

HRW called on the government to investigate the 12 June incidents, saying the violence reflected a pattern of abuse by security forces.

cs/ccr



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