Guinea: Commission of Inquiry Must Be Set Up to Investigate Brutal Repression of Demonstrators

http://www.ituc-csi.org/spip.php?article4407

Brussels, 1 October 2009 : The ITUC has strongly condemned the brutal
repression of demonstrators in Conakry and has reiterated the call for
maximum sanctions against the perpetrators and instigators of the barbaric
acts perpetrated on Monday 28 September in Guinea, when over 150 people
were killed, 1200 injured and numerous women were raped in the middle of
the street "The trade union movement is in a state of shock," said Guy
Ryder, general secretary of the ITUC. He also expressed his serious
concern over the situation in the country following these incidents: the
head of the junta has banned all gatherings considered to be subversive,
erecting an alarming barrier to activities in defence of human rights,
including trade union rights and freedom of expression. Terror continues
to grip the country, the threats continue, the victims’ remains have not
been returned to their families and people are reportedly being placed
under arbitrary detention. In addition, many of those injured do not have
access to the necessary medical care.

Insisting on the need to restore peace and stability to Guinea, the ITUC
has called on the junta to ensure the immediate and unconditional release
of all those arrested, and the return of all the victims’ remains,
including those disappeared, so that appropriate funeral ceremonies can be
held. Medical and hospital care must also be urgently provided to the
political leaders and all the other demonstrators who were seriously
injured, and all the victims must receive compensation for the harm
suffered. "Respect for freedom of expression and opinion must be
guaranteed without delay," continued Guy Ryder. "What happened on 28
September is inadmissible." The international trade union movement also
insisted on the need to set up an international and totally independent
commission of inquiry, to investigate the massacre and exactions of 28
September and the days following these incidents. Such a commission is the
only way of ensuring that the instigators and perpetrators of these crimes
are genuinely brought to justice.

All governments and supra-regional bodies have been called on to take
immediate targeted sanctions against members of the junta and the authors
of these acts of violence, such as the freezing of their assets and travel
bans on these individuals and their close relatives.

At the beginning of October, the ITUC General Council is to meet in Berlin
(Germany) and will look into this matter. Trade unions across all
continents have expressed their solidarity with the Guinean people.

The ITUC represents 170 million workers in 157 countries and territories
and has 312 national affiliates. http://www.youtube.com/ITUCCSI

For more information, please contact the ITUC Press Department on +32 2
224 0204 or +32 476 621 018.