GUINEA: Declaration on The Rights and Citizenship of Guinea's Women CONAG-DCF (National Coalition of Guinea for the Rights and Citizenship of Women)

In the wake of Guinea's bloody repression, CONAG-DCF (National Coalition of Guinea for the Rights and Citizenship of Women) condemns the violence and the atrocious abuse suffered by the country's women.

CONAG-DCF has followed with great interest the evolving political situation in our country Guinea. We refer to the breakdown of talks between the National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD) and the nation's civil society, which led to the tragic events of 28 September 2009.

CONAG-DCF deplores and condemns the bloody repression of the 28 September march by the armed forces. CONAG-DCF offers its condolences to the families of the victims and to the people of Guinea as a whole. In our view, there is no possible justification for the massacre of the nation's sons and daughters who sought nothing more than the reconstruction of their country.

In addition to the assassinating citizens, the armed forces committed unprecedented atrocities against the women and girls who were at the stadium on the day. Witness accounts tell of blows and injuries, public and mass rapes, and even the insertion of pieces of wood, rifle butts, and even bayonets into genitals.

The republic of Guinea has thus witnessed some of the most atrocious forms of violence against women. This violence was deeply felt by the women of Guinea, of Africa, and the whole world. CONAG-DCF strongly condemns these inhuman acts.

At the same time we note with regret that power intrigues have predominated our social cultural and religious values.

Throughout its history, our country has accorded special protection to the rights of women, even in cases of illegal activity. We recall the events of 27 August 1977 when the nation's women demonstrated against the government's economic policies, forcing the late Ahmed Sekou Touré to back down.

The atrocities of 28 September constitute a grave violation of our traditions, and show us clearly that in spite of its lofty pronouncements, the new regime has no regard for the welfare and status of women.

In light of these gross violations committed by the very forces charged with safeguarding the rights of all, the most vulnerable being women and girls, CONAG-DCF protests in the strongest terms, and reminds the CNDD that:

- Guinea is a signatory to the key international, regional and sub-regional documents that safeguard the rights of women, such as: the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW); the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa; United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security; and Security Council Resolution 1820 on Sexual Violence as a Tactic of Warfare.

CONAG-DCF, considering the atrocities committed against women during the events of 28 September 2009 and cognisant that no nation can claim progress while at the same time degrading those who give life:

- Demand an international inquest to identify those responsible and to hold them to account, in conformance with UN Resolution 1325, which states:

'It is the responsibility of all States to put an end to impunity and to prosecute those responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes including those relating to sexual violence against women and girls…'

- CONAG-DCF makes a solemn plea to our African sisters, and to the women of the world, to support the women of Guinea in their struggle against all forms of violence against women. May all women of the world unite in ensuring that those responsible for these atrocities are identified and brought to justice!

- CONAG-DCF condemns the use of rape as a tool of repression and humiliation of women who did nothing more that exercise their democratic rights.

The current situation is a major setback for democracy on the African continent as a whole, but especially for Guinea. It has eroded the rights and basic freedoms of individuals.

Consequently, CONAG-DCF:

- Seeks national and international support for the women victims of 28 September 2009

- Urges all stakeholders to resume dialogue as the sole solution to the crisis engulfing the country

- Appeals for women's solidarity and commitment to ensure that such atrocities never happen again, in Guinea or anywhere else.

'Never again in the Republic of Guinea'

Signed this 2nd day of October 2009 at Conakry

Member organisations of CONAG-DCF:
La COFEG, l'AME, l'ADDEF-G, l'AGUIFEL, l'AGACFEM, l'ADIC, le SLECG, la CPTAFE.