NGOs slam pardon for Guinea ex-dictator

CONAKRY - The recent pardon handed down to former Guinean dictator Moussa Dadis Camara over his role in a 2009 massacre "is an affront to justice," rights organizations said Tuesday.

Camara, jailed for 20 years over a 2009 massacre, was pardoned last week for "health reasons" by the west African country's junta leader, with a rights body Saturday saying he had left prison for a chic Conakry villa.

His sentence for crimes against humanity followed a landmark trial permitted by the junta after it took power in 2021.

On September 28, 2009, at least 156 people were killed by gunfire, knives, machetes, or bayonets in a massacre at an opposition rally, according to a UN-mandated international commission of inquiry.

Hundreds more were wounded, at least 109 women were raped and abuses continued for several days against women who were held captive, while detainees were tortured.

Only 57 bodies of the victims were recovered, according to families and human rights organizations, and the toll is believed to be far higher.

"This pardon sends a disastrous signal, demonstrating a contempt for the fundamental principles of justice, responsibility and the fight against impunity," said International Federation for Human Rights secretary general Drissa Traore, also a member of the collective representing civil parties in Guinea.

The Federation made a joint statement with the Association of Victims, Relatives and Friends of September 28 (AVIPA) and the Guinean Organization for the Defence of Human and Citizen Rights (OGDH) to "express their deep indignation at a decision that jeopardizes the ongoing judicial process."

The trio of rights groups said the decision was "in contradiction with all national, regional and international commitments" of the country.

Dadis Camara had appealed his conviction in the first instance.
Junta leader General Mamadi Doumbouya said on March 26 that he would cover the costs of compensating massacre victims.