CONAKRY, Guinea, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Amnesty International urged Guinea to reform its security forces and try the instigators of last year's stadium massacre or risk more human-rights violations.
In the report examining the "Bloody Monday" massacre Sept. 28 and its aftermath, Amnesty International outlined several reforms for Guinea's security forces to ensure human rights are maintained in the West African country, the human-rights organization said Tuesday in a release.
Security forces killed more than 150 people and raped more than 40 women during and following protests of Guinea's military leader, Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara, indicating he may change his mind about stepping down and instead remain in power. More than 1,500 people were wounded and many people went missing or were detained.
Guinea has faced sanctions from regional and international organizations for failing to return to civilian rule after Camara seized power. International criticism increased after more than 150 opposition supporters were killed in a stadium in Conakry, Guinea's capital. Human-rights organizations said the massacre was carried out by the country's elite Presidential Guard.
The report documented extrajudicial executions, torture and other ill-treatment, rape, sexual slavery and arbitrary detention carried out by particular units of Guinea's armed forces and police, said Gaetan Mootoo of Amnesty International.
"Instead of facing justice for these crimes, the perpetrators of the Bloody Monday massacre remain in positions of authority, protected from prosecution," Mootoo said. "Reform of the security forces based on international human rights standards is urgently needed to avoid a repeat of the horrific events of last September. This has to be accompanied by justice for those responsible for the Bloody Monday massacre."
