Following the release in early May of 40 people detained since the October 2020 demonstrations around Guinea’s presidential election, Amnesty International recalls that 57 detainees, arrested under the same circumstances, are still behind bars. NGOs demand respect for their rights and for criminal proceedings.
“Despite these releases and also some pardons granted by Guinea’s head of state, there are still dozens of people detained, some in situations that raise certain issues,” recalls Fabien Offner of the regional office of Amnesty International in Dakar. . What we are asking is that they are simply entitled to a fair trial. There are some signs that we can doubt it. ”
They have been in custody for more than seven months. For Amnesty International, these prisoners must be tried as soon as possible or even released.
Arbitrary deprivation of liberty
Fabien Offner quotes the “symbolic” case of Oumar Sylla“He is a pro-democracy activist, in arbitrary detention for almost ten months now, simply for taking part in demonstrations. He must be released. Despite several appeals from various Guinean and international organizations, he remains in custody, which is still problematic ”.
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