Security Council

6207^th Meeting (PM)

Security Council Strongly Condemns Killing of Guinean Protesters, Reiterates Need

for Authorities to Uphold Rule of Law, Release All Being Denied Due Process

Deeply concerned that, following the killings that occurred in Conakry on 28 September when the army opened fire on civilians attending a rally, the situation in Guinea might still pose a risk to regional peace and security, the Security Council today strongly condemned the violence and reiterated the need for the national authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.

In a statement read by its President, Hoang Chi Trung of Viet Nam, the Security Council strongly condemned the violence that reportedly caused more than 150 deaths and left hundreds wounded, as well as other “blatant violations of human rights”, that occurred, including numerous rapes and sexual crimes against women, as well as the arbitrary arrest of peaceful demonstrators and opposition leaders.  The 15-member body reiterated the need for the national authorities to fight against impunity and release all individuals being denied due process.

The Council went on to welcome the statement of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Summit on 17 October supporting Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s decision to establish an international commission of inquiry to investigate the 23 September events, noting that the authorities of Guinea had officially committed to support the commission’s work in secure conditions.

The Council further welcomed the ECOWAS Summit’s statement stressing the importance of the establishment of a new transitional authority that would ensure credible, free and fair elections, and of ensuring that the Chairman and members of the national Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD), the Prime Minister and those who hold high office in the new transitional authority would not be candidates in the forthcoming presidential elections.

Taking note of the decisions by the African Union Peace and Security Council regarding the imposition of targeted sanctions against the President of the CNDD and other individuals, and of the ECOWAS decision to impose an arms embargo on Guinea, the Council expressed its intention to follow the situation closely.  It also requested the Secretary-General to provide updates, as appropriate, on the situation on the ground, the potential implications for the subregion, the international investigation into the 28 September killings, and the measures taken by ECOWAS and the African Union.

The meeting was called to order at 12:55 p.m. and was adjourned at 1:05 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2009/27 reads as follows:

“The Security Council remains deeply concerned by the situation in Guinea which might pose a risk to regional peace and security following the killings that occurred in Conakry on 28 September, when members of the army opened fire on civilians attending a rally.  It strongly condemns the violence that reportedly caused more than 150 deaths and hundreds of wounded and other blatant violations of human rights including numerous rapes and sexual crimes against women, as well as the arbitrary arrest of peaceful demonstrators and opposition party leaders.

“The Security Council reiterates the need for the national authorities to fight against impunity, bring the perpetrators to justice, uphold the rule of law, including the respect for basic human rights and release all the individuals who are being denied due process under the law.

“The Security Council welcomes the public statements by the International Contact Group, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, in particular the communiqué of the African Union Peace and Security Council meeting dated 15 October 2009 and the communiqué of the ECOWAS Summit held on 17 October 2009.  It welcomes the mediation undertaken by President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso, including his efforts to create a more conducive and secure environment in Guinea, and calls upon the international community to support his action.

“The Security Council welcomes the ECOWAS Summit’s statement supporting the Secretary-General’s decision to establish an international commission of inquiry to investigate the events of 28 September, in order to ascertain the facts that took place, to identify the perpetrators with a view to ensuring that those responsible for violations are held accountable and to make recommendations to him.  The Security Council takes note that the authorities of Guinea have officially committed to support the work of the international commission of inquiry in secure conditions.

“The Security Council welcomes further the ECOWAS Summit’s statement stressing the importance of the establishment of a new transitional authority that would ensure credible, free and fair elections, of ensuring that the Chairman and members of the National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD), the Prime Minister and those who hold high office in the new transitional authority will not be candidates in the forthcoming presidential elections and of setting up benchmarks in the transition timetable.  The Security Council calls for the elections to be organized as scheduled in 2010.

“The Security Council further recalls in this context its resolution 1888 (2009), in which it urged the Secretary-General, Member States and the heads of regional organizations to take measures to increase the representation of women in mediation processes and decision-making processes with regard to conflict resolution and peacebuilding.

“The Security Council takes note of the decisions by the African Union Peace and Security Council on 17 September and 15 October regarding the imposition of targeted sanctions against the President of the CNDD and other individuals.  It also takes note of the decision of ECOWAS to impose an arms embargo on Guinea.  It takes note further that the African Union Peace and Security Council will meet at the level of Head of States on 29 October.

“The Security Council expresses its intention to follow the situation closely.  It requests the Secretary-General to update it as appropriate on the situation on the ground, the potential implications for the subregion, the international investigation of the killings of 28 September 2009 and the measures taken by ECOWAS and by the African Union.”

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For information media • not an official record