Carter Center Condemns Violence in Guinea

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
In Atlanta: Deborah Hakes, 404-420-5124

The Carter Center deplores the violent attacks by security forces that killed more than 150 peaceful demonstrators in Conakry, Guinea, on Sept. 28. The protesters were rallying against the potential presidential candidacy of military government leader Captain Dadis Camara. Hundreds of others were wounded and there are reports of sexual assault of women by the security forces.

The Carter Center appeals to Guinea's leaders to respect the universal right of the Guinean people to freedom of expression and assembly, to restore the rule of law, and to recommit itself to the full restoration of civilian authority through democratic elections. Captain Camara should keep his promise not to stand in the election as a candidate and order an independent investigation into the killings.

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"Waging peace, fighting disease, building hope"

The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide. A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, the Center has helped to improve life for people in more than 70 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; improving mental health care; and teaching farmers to increase crop production.