Cabinet calls on Guineans to defend country; groups condemn brutality

Guinea’s government has called on civilians to organise self-defence groups to fight incursions from Liberia and Sierra Leone. “The government urges all patriots, men and women, young and old, to be organised in self-defence committees in order to defeat the enemies of our country and protect at all costs our territorial integrity,” the Council of Ministers said on Tuesday. Humanitarian workers in Guinea have complained about harassment at roadblocks by vigilantes armed with machetes, sticks and guns. Militant youths helped security forces detain some 5,000 Liberians and Sierra Leoneans on 9-10 September in the capital, Conakry, for identity screening. They have been released but there were reports of rapes and beatings, confirmed by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR). The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the Forum of Conscience (FOC), a Sierra Leone Human Rights Group, on Tuesday condemned the brutalisation of refugees in Guinea. Nearly 500,000 refugees live in the country. “Villages have been set ablaze, properties looted, and scores of civilians raped and killed,” the two groups said. “Fleeing refugees continue to stress that all these atrocities are carried out with the knowledge of the Guinean government.” OMCT and FOC called on the international community, UNHCR and other international organisations to put pressure on Guinean President Lansana Conte and the Guinean armed forces to use utmost restraint and uphold international human rights standards. “In doing so, ensure the security of all those caught up in the conflict, including international humanitarian aid workers and human rights defenders,” the groups said.