World Bank/Dominic Chavez. Conakry, the capital of Guinea.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk today expressed concern about the growing repression of media freedom in Guinea and urged the transitional authorities to change course.
In September 2021, a military coup took place in Guinea. The coup forces, led by Dumbuja, seized President Conté and dissolved the government, while establishing the National Unity and Development Council. In April of the following year, Transitional President Dumbbuya made a televised speech announcing a 39-month political transition period before the country returned to civilian rule.
Media repression intensified
In May this year, the opposition-led demonstrations protested against the tyranny of the transitional authorities and the slow progress of the transition to constitutional order.
Subsequently, access to the websites of the Guinée Matin and Africa Guinée was restricted, and the transmissions of the two private radio stations were disrupted. The radio crew was summoned by the Guinean media regulator and reprimanded for making critical statements during a discussion about opposition protests. Several other website staff members were beaten by soldiers.
In October, security forces detained at least 13 journalists who gathered in Conakry to protest censorship and call for the lifting of restrictions imposed on the website of the Guinea Morning News. They were released on the same day, but criminal proceedings against them are still ongoing.
In December, the media regulator ordered French pay-TV provider Canal+ to stop broadcasting and television from a number of private broadcasters, citing security concerns.
Social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and TikTok, have been blocked since at least November 24, and internet access has been restricted for months, according to the Open Network Interference Observatory (OONI).
It is not in accordance with international human rights law
Journalists have been harassed, intimidated, assaulted and arrested, equipment confiscated and dismantled, broadcast transmissions blocked, and media channels disrupted, suspended or shut down, Türk said. Access to several social media platforms has been blocked, and access to the internet has been restricted. These measures do not meet the strict requirements of international human rights law. These acts must be brought to an end swiftly and the right to freedom of opinion and expression must be fully upheld.
He noted that the transitional authorities had imposed restrictions on media and online communication platforms on the grounds of national security needs. However, in order to comply with Guinea's international human rights obligations, any restrictions on freedom of expression must be lawful, necessary and proportionate.
"At a time when Guinea needs to nurture and defend human rights most, these excessive restrictions on fundamental freedoms only shrink civic space and weaken respect for human rights," Türk said. I strongly urge the transitional authorities of Guinea to take all necessary measures to immediately remedy this worrying situation. ”
