International inquiry into deadly Guinea crackdown begins work – UN

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met today with the members of the International Commission of Inquiry set up to probe September’s violent crackdown on unarmed demonstrators in Guinea, ahead of the team’s visit to the country next week.

Mohamed Bedjaoui, Françoise Ngendahayo Kayiramirwa and Pramila Patten will be in Guinea from 25 November to 4 December, according to a statement issue by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson.

They were appointed by the Secretary-General last month to lead the investigation into human rights violations that occurred on 28 September in the capital, Conakry, when at least 150 people were killed and many others raped.

“During the meeting, the Secretary-General recalled that the Commission should work independently in assessing the facts, and make recommendations on accountability measures,” read the statement.

The Secretariat of the Commission, supported by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), arrived in Conakry on 15 November and started the work on the ground.

Mr. Ban, when he set up the Commission, said that he expects it should be able to complete its work within a month once it is in the field.

President Moussa Dadis Camara and Prime Minister Kabinet Komara have committed in writing to the Secretary-General that the authorities of Guinea will cooperate with the Commission and facilitate its work.