Secretary-General Sends Inquiry Mission to Guinea after ‘Violent Crackdown’

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

The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned by the tense situation in Guinea following the violent crackdown, which he had strongly condemned, on unarmed civilians on 28 September in Conakry.  This crackdown resulted in many deaths and injuries, and allegedly in gross violations of human rights, including rape.

The Secretary-General has therefore decided to establish an international commission of inquiry to investigate those incidents with a view to determining the accountability of those involved.  A mission will be sent immediately to look into the modalities for the setting up of this commission.

The mission, led by Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Haile Menkerios, will depart early this afternoon and will consult with Guinean authorities and regional organizations and leaders regarding the work of the commission.

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For information media • not an official record