HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CALLS FOR PROBE INTO GUINEA KILLINGS AND WELCOMES RESUMPTION OF DIALOGUE

24 January 2007


United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour is calling for an independent investigation into reports that security forces have killed dozens of unarmed protestors in Guinea.

Expressing concern over the deterioration of the situation in the country, the High Commissioner today cited reports of excessive use of force by army and police. Over 40 people are said to have been killed since the start of a nationwide strike on 10 January. She strongly denounced the killings and conveyed her deep sympathy to the families of the victims and those who have been wounded.

The High Commissioner recalled that Guinea is party to a number of international human rights instruments that provide for respect of, among others, the rights to life, freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly.

“The killings have to be investigated expeditiously and impartially, and anyone found responsible for abuses must be brought to justice”, the High Commissioner said.

“It is encouraging that dialogue appears to be resuming”, she added. “There must not be, in any case, impunity for the human rights violations reported to have occurred in Guinea over the past few weeks”.