Guinea-Bissau: concern over arrests following coup
Amnesty International is concerned about the wave of arrests of former military personnel in the aftermath of an alleged coup attempt in Guinea-Bissau last week.
* News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty
International *
11 December 2001
AFR 30/017/2001
219/01
Amnesty International is concerned about the wave of arrests of
former military personnel in the aftermath of an alleged coup
attempt in Guinea-Bissau last week.
On 3 December 2001, the Guinea-Bissau authorities
announced that armed forces and police had foiled a coup attempt
the night before, and that several former military officers and
paramilitary personnel had been arrested. These include former
Deputy Army Chief of Staff, Almane Alam Camará, and former Navy
Chief of Staff, Mohamed Lamine Sanha, who are alleged to have led
the coup attempt.
At present there is little detailed information about the
alleged coup attempt and the authorities apparently have not yet
provided evidence to support the claim, nor released information
about the number of people detained, their names and the places
of detention. However, the authorities announced that the
arrested included military officers who had previously been
involved in another alleged military revolt against the
government in November 2000.
Amnesty International today called on the Guinea-Bissau
authorities to ensure that the human rights of all detainees are
protected. The organization also reminded the authorities that
those detained in the aftermath of the alleged coup attempt
should be released immediately and unconditionally unless they
are promptly charged with a recognized criminal offence and tried
in compliance with international standards of fair trial.
Background
In November 2000, at least 200 military and paramilitary officers
-- including Almane Alam Camará and Mohamed Lamine Sanha -- and
10 civilian leaders of peaceful political opposition parties were
arrested following an alleged coup attempt. The alleged leader of
the coup, Brigadier Ansumane Mané, was subsequently killed in
disputed circumstances. The civilians were released on bail
within a week, without having charges brought against them.
Restrictions remain imposed upon them, including being prevented
from leaving the country and having to report to the police or
courts periodically.
The military officers remained in prison for about seven
months, in conditions which constituted cruel and inhuman
treatment. Many contracted life threatening illnesses in
detention, while the health of others -- already suffering from
chronic diseases -- deteriorated. They were released on bail in
May and June 2000. They have not been charged. However, they
still have to report to the authorities daily.
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