UN High Commissioner urges Guinea authorities to facilitate participation in upcoming elections – JURIST

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Thursday urged Guinean authorities to ensure that all parties can effectively participate in the upcoming December elections.

Türk urged Guinean authorities to comply with their obligations under international law:

Going forward, it is critical for the transitional authorities to ensure that processes towards restoring constitutional rule are conducted in line with international human rights norms and standards, including on public participation, inclusiveness and transparency […] The military authorities in Guinea must first and foremost lift the unacceptable bans on political parties and media outlets.

Türk spoke after voters approved a new constitution with overwhelming support, which would allow junta leader Mamady Doumbouya to run for office. The draft constitution would also extend the presidential mandate from five years to seven years, subsequently renewable twice. 

Doumbouya has since run the country after leading a coup in 2021. Although the coup was initially welcomed by many, some express concern today about the growing authoritarian influence of Doumbouya. Abdoulaye Kourouma, the head of the opposition Rally for Renaissance and Development party, said that “[w]hether you are a scientist, a university scholar, an opinion leader, a journalist, no one speaks today.”

Since May 2022, the transitional authorities have maintained a blanket ban on political gatherings and peaceful demonstrations, violating both Guinea’s responsibilities under international law and the fundamental rights to freedom of speech, press, and association. 

In addition to the arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances that have been occurring in the country, transitional authorities have also banned three leading opposition parties in the lead-up to the referendum vote and suspended various media outlets. Main opposition leaders have also warned that the proposed constitution is an attempt at a power grab.