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Rule of Law

11/6/2009 4:34:38 PM EST

Guinea, Regret, and Human Rights Violations

Posted by Rule of Law Resource Center Staff

On September 28, 2009, coup leader Captain Moussa "Dadis" Camara’s soldiers killed over 150 people who were protesting in favor of democracy and women were reportedly being raped. Opposition leaders and some demonstrators were also arrested, and there is now a ban on protests in place.

Captain Camara now says that he “regrets” the deaths. However, he criticized the European Union’s sanctions against government members as an improper attempt by foreigners to teach his country a lesson.

An all-African commission appointed by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the International Criminal Court are both conducting investigations of the September 28^th events.

Regret isn’t enough when fundamental human rights are violated through mass murder and sexual assault. If the rule of law is to prevail, not rule with an iron fist, those responsible for these human rights violations need to be arrested, tried, and punished for their crimes. The officer corps and the rank-and-file of Guinea’s military appear to require some re-training concerning the role of the military in modern democratic society as well.

Recommended Reading:

Guinea Coup Leader Says He "Regrets" Massacre (AP Worldsteam, Nov. 3, 2009).

UN Chief Announces Guinea Killing Probe Panel (AP Worldsteam, Oct. 31, 2009).