Universal Periodic Review Working Group – 21st Session
Universal Periodic Review of Guinea
20 January 2015
Australia commends Guinea on its 2010 democratic presidential election, the first since independence. We hope the upcoming 2015 presidential election will be conducted fairly and peacefully.
Australia commends Guinea’s progress in establishing the Ministry of Human Rights and Civil Liberties, creating a special police unit to combat human trafficking and developing a code of conduct for the police force.
Australia expresses deep concern at on-going human rights violations committed by security forces. Ending both human rights violations, in any circumstance, and impunity for such acts must be accorded the highest priority. Australia recommends Guinea ensure all allegations of human rights abuses by security forces are independently investigated and that perpetrators are held to account.
Rates of Female Genital Mutilation in Guinea are disturbing, as are reports of violence against over 90 per cent of females. Australia recommends Guinea amend its Criminal Code to cover various forms of sexual violence, including marital rape and domestic violence; and enforce all legislation concerning women and girls.
Australia understands that there are at least 34 individuals under death sentence in Guinea. Australia recommends that Guinea establish a formal moratorium on the death penalty with a view to ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR.
Australia also urges Guinea to strongly consider human rights in its Ebola response and recovery efforts.