Programs and Events 2009
Justice and Human Rights for Citizens in Conflict with the Law
On August 4-5, the Guinea-United States Alumni Association (GUSAA) in collaboration the US Embassy in Guinea hosted a seminar on “Justice and Human Rights for Citizens in Conflict with the Law.” Throughout this seminar, participants had the opportunity to hear from six Guinean experts in the field of human rights, criminal justice and prisoner advocacy. These speeches were shared with a diverse audience of 65 including influential members of Guinean society, including human rights activists, lawyers, correctional officers, prison administrators and guards, judges, journalists, police officers, law professors, students, political party members and NGO representatives.
Charge d’Affaires Kent Brokenshire opened the two-day event with a speech that outlined the concerns expressed by the U.S. government in the 2008 Human Rights Report with regard to citizens in conflict with the law and called on participants to actively push for respect for human rights for all citizens, especially at this crucial moment in Guinea’s history.
The expert speakers who presented at the event included Mr. Frederic Loua, a lawyer and Director of the NGO Meme Droit Pour Tous, Mr. Thierno Sadou Diallo, Head of Protection Project –Terre Des Hommes, Mamadou Bailo Bah, Project Coordinator for Sabou Guinée, Mory Dioubate Assistant Director –NGO ASWAR, Mr. Naby Youssouf Sylla, National Director of Correctional Administration and Mr. Mohamed Aly Thiam, National Director for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Each spoke on topics of their areas of expertise and responded to questions from the audience.
Because audience members were also subject experts, the discussions that took place following the presentations were both enlightening and fruitful. People were able to share their experiences and discuss ways to address the many problems faced by Guinea’s justice system. The group expressed the desire to meet again to follow up on the issues addressed during the seminar, since together as a group, they have the ability to create a change for the better to promote the respect for the human rights of Guinea’s citizens in conflict with the law.