Secretary-General Deplores Excessive Force Used to Disperse Demonstrators

in Guinea, Urges Maximum Restraint, Respect for Basic Human Rights

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General deplores the use of force by the armed and security forces in Guinea to disperse the demonstrations that took place in the capital, Conakry, today.  He is shocked by the loss of life, the high number of people injured and the destruction of property, as a result of the excessive use of force.   He sends his condolences to the families of the victims.

The Secretary-General urges Guinean national authorities and the security forces to exercise maximum restraint and to uphold the rule of law, including respect for basic human rights.  He encourages all stakeholders in Guinea to commit to a peaceful, consensual transitional process in the country through the early holding of credible and transparent elections.  To this end, the Secretary-General calls upon the National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD) to respect its earlier commitments not to participate in the elections.   He calls on all Guinean stakeholders to cooperate fully with the International Contact Group on Guinea.

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For information media • not an official record