Guinea-Bissau Human Rights
Guinea-Bissau experienced yet another coup in April 2012 when Prime Minister Carlos Gomez Junior and interim President Raimundo Pereira were ousted. Elections have been delayed several times despite calls from the international community for a return to an elected government. They are currently scheduled for April 2014.
The armed forces have been responsible for numerous human rights violations including torture, arbitrary arrest, and prolonged detention. Impunity issues persist with the government failing to bring to justice those responsible for the abuses. Furthermore, the deleterious problem of drug trafficking continues to riddle Guinea Bissau with violence and government corruption associated with the criminal environment it engenders.
Arbitrary arrests and detentions persist. Amnesty International noted the arrests, beatings and detention of outspoken government critics in the period following the coup. Two politicians were badly beaten and a Portuguese journalist was expelled from the country.
The United Nations assessed Guinea-Bissau’s human rights record under the Universal Periodic Review process in 2010. The government of then President, Malam Bacai Sanha, rejected five recommendations, including those related to impunity of the armed forces for human rights violations. It did, however, support a commitment to the criminalization of female genital mutilation after a promised public education campaign. In June 2012, a law was passed to end the practice.
Relevant Links
Guinea-Bissau Newsroom
February 18, 2016 • Report
Amnesty International State of the World 2015-2016
International protection of human rights is in danger of unravelling as short-term national self-interest and draconian security crackdowns have led to a wholesale assault on basic freedoms and rights, warned Amnesty International as it launched its annual assessment of human rights around the world. “Your rights are in jeopardy: they are being treated with utter contempt by many governments around the world,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
February 25, 2015 • Report
State of the World 2014/2015
This has been a devastating year for those seeking to stand up for human rights and for those caught up in the suffering of war zones. Governments pay lip service to the importance of protecting civilians. And yet the world's politicians have miserably failed to protect those in greatest need. Amnesty International believes that this can and must finally change.
May 20, 2013 • Report
Annual Report: Guinea-Bissau 2013
REPUBLIC OF GUINEA-BISSAU Head of state Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo (replaced Raimundo Pereira) Head of government Rui Duarte de Barros (replaced Carlos Gomes Júnior) The political situation deteriorated sharply following the …
March 19, 2011 • Report
Annual Report: Guinea-Bissau 2010
Head of state Malam Bacai Sanhá (replaced Raimundo Pereira in September, who replaced João Bernardo "Nino" Vieira in March) Head of government Carlos Gomes Júnior Death penalty abolitionist for all …
February 22, 2016 • Press Release
Amnesty International’s Annual State of the World Report Slams Governments, Including the U.S., for Global Assault on Freedoms
On the launch of its 2015 State of the World report, Amnesty International USA urged President Obama to use his last year in office to bring U.S. laws and policies in line with international human rights standards.
February 18, 2016 • Press Release
Your rights in jeopardy, global assault on freedoms, warns Amnesty International
International protection of human rights is in danger of unravelling as short-term national self-interest and draconian security crackdowns have led to a wholesale assault on basic freedoms and rights, warned Amnesty International as it launched its annual assessment of human rights around the world. “Your rights are in jeopardy: they are being treated with utter contempt by many governments around the world,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
