A/HRC/25/44
conduct of certain judicial police officers. In May 2013, for the first time ever, the police
services of Nzérékoré respected the time limit of 48 hours for police custody in 100 per
cent of cases. This is due in particular to the combined efforts and reminders of the Public
Prosecutor at the Court of First Instance of Nzérékoré, judicial police officers, nongovernmental human rights organizations, which carried out regular visits, and OHCHR.
E.
Fight against impunity
36.
In her previous report, the High Commissioner recommended that the Government
should strengthen the fight against impunity, in particular by prosecuting the alleged
perpetrators of human rights violations involved in the events of 28 September 2009
(A/HRC/22/39, para. 54 (e)), and granting appropriate reparation to the victims, thus
reiterating one of the recommendations of the International Commission of Inquiry
mandated to establish the facts and circumstances of the events of 28 September 2009.
37.
In 2013, the Government increased its support for the panel of judges set up to deal
with this case. The judges heard more than 200 victims and witnesses. They indicted a
senior army official with ministerial rank and indicted a gendarmerie agent on a rape
charge. However, the fact that these individuals still occupy influential positions within the
civil service is cause for concern for the victims and witnesses.
38.
In addition, little progress has been made in other important investigations, in
particular regarding the events in Zogota, in the prefecture of Nzérékoré, in August 2012.4
Justice is also slow to investigate the circumstances in which dozens of people were killed
or injured by firearms during public demonstrations held by the opposition between
February and November 2013.
39.
As regards the inter-communal violence that occurred in the prefectures of Beyla
and Nzérékoré from 15 to 18 July 2013, the Government set up a panel of judges and a joint
commission, consisting of gendarmes and police officers, to investigate these events and to
receive victims’ complaints. At least 20 people are being held at the Nzérékoré central
prison and 14 have been placed under judicial supervision. The OHCHR office in Guinea
has supported these judges by accompanying them on fact-finding missions on an ad hoc
basis in Koulé and in Nzérékoré in order to facilitate the establishment of contacts with
victims and witnesses and by communicating information likely to facilitate their work.
During these missions, the OHCHR Guinea office also encouraged the victims to file
complaints. As a result, some 150 complaints have been lodged with the judges.
F.
Economic, social and cultural rights
40.
In 2013, the Government continued its efforts to strengthen the enjoyment of
economic, social and cultural rights. Investments have been made in electricity networks
and the renovation of urban roads in large cities. Steps have been made to increase
women’s access to health, including the provision of caesarean sections free of charge.
41.
In addition to the continued difficulties in gaining access to basic social services, the
inter-communal violence of July 2013 had a negative impact on access to education for
children in Guinée Forestière, in particular in the prefectures of Beyla and Nzérékoré.
During this violence, three schools were entirely destroyed, six were looted and four
4
10
Tensions between the communities living in the vicinity of Mount Yonon and the Vale mining
company resulted in seven people being killed and about a dozen injured, and caused major material
damage.
GE.14-10910
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents