RES/25/35 Strengthening of technical cooperation and consultative services in Guinea

GE.See S/2009/693. 4-13561 (E) 250414 250414

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Human Rights Council Twenty-fifth session Agenda item 10 Technical assistance and capacity-building

Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council

25/35 Strengthening of technical cooperation and consultative services in Guinea

The Human Rights Council,

Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other applicable human rights instruments,

Recalling General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006 and Human Rights Council resolutions 13/21 of 26 March 2010, 16/36 of 25 March 2011, 19/30 of 23 March 2012 and 23/23 of 14 June 2013,

Reaffirming that all States have an obligation to promote and protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other relevant human rights instruments to which they are parties,

Noting with satisfaction the efforts made by Guineans and the international community, in particular the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States, to establish democratic institutions and to strengthen the rule of law,

Welcoming the successful holding of peaceful and inclusive legislative elections on 28 September 2013 and the establishment of the new National Assembly of Guinea on 13 January 2014,

Recalling that it is the primary responsibility of the Government of Guinea to protect its population, to conduct inquiries into allegations of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and to bring perpetrators to justice, 1. Recognizes the efforts made by the Government of Guinea to strengthen the rule of law and improve the human rights situation in the country, in line with the recommendations of the International Commission of Inquiry established by the Secretary-

United Nations A/HRC/RES/25/35

General Assembly Distr.: General 15 April 2013 English Original: French

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General1 and supported by the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States;

2. Welcomes the existence of the new Ministry of Human Rights and Civil Liberties and its constructive work and the mainstreaming of human rights in the reform of the security sector;

3. Calls upon the Guinean authorities to guarantee freedom of opinion and expression and freedom of peaceful assembly and association;

4. Urges all political stakeholders:

(a) To continue to take an active part in good faith in the political dialogue, particularly on issues regarding the organization of free, transparent, inclusive and peaceful elections;

(b) To prevent and prohibit any act of violence that harms the democratization process under way;

(c) To be actively involved in the national reconciliation process; 5. Encourages the Government of Guinea to make the national commission established in 2013 for the study and prevention of the problem of violence operational;

6. Firmly reiterates its commitment to accession to power by democratic means and condemns all incitement to ethnic and/or racial hatred;

7. Welcomes the efforts by the Government of Guinea to undertake reforms in the security and defence sectors that incorporate respect for human rights and guarantee the enjoyment of civil and political rights; 8. Encourages the Government of Guinea to draw up a comprehensive programme to strengthen the administration of justice to combat impunity and strengthen respect for human rights;

9. Notes that measures have been taken by the panel of judges appointed by the Government of Guinea to investigate the events of 28 September 2009, including the hearing of testimony of victims and the filing of charges against suspects, encourages the panel of judges to pursue its work and urges the Government to guarantee the necessary means and security conditions for the panel of judges so that its members may effectively fulfil their mandate;

10. Encourages the Government of Guinea to adopt the following supplementary measures:

(a) Support the work of the panel of judges and expedite judicial proceedings against those responsible for the events of 28 September 2009, including the acts of sexual violence committed against women and girls, ensure the safety and protection of the witnesses and victims and provide them with appropriate redress and assistance, including in the form of medical and psychological support;

(b) Compensate the families of victims who lost their lives as a result of the events of 28 September 2009 and provide redress for the physical and psychological suffering inflicted upon those who were wounded;

11. Notes that the Government of Guinea has agreed to accept technical assistance from an expert deployed by the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual

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Violence in Conflict and encourages the Government to continue its cooperation with the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict;

12. Takes note of the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation of human rights in Guinea in 2013;A/HRC/25/44.

13. Firmly reiterates its appeal to the international community:

(a) To provide the Government of Guinea with appropriate assistance to promote respect for human rights through, inter alia, the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, the fight against impunity and the reform of the security and justice sectors, as well as the initiatives that are under way to promote truth, justice and national reconciliation;

(b) To support the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Guinea;

(c) To support the Ministry of Human Rights and Civil Liberties in the implementation of its plan of action;

14. Invites the High Commissioner to report to the Human Rights Council at its twenty-eighth session on the situation of human rights and the work of the Office of the High Commissioner in Guinea;

15. Decides to remain seized of this matter.

56th meeting 28 March 2014

[Adopted without a vote.]