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afrol News, 6 November - As the 11 November referendum on Guinean President Lansana Conté's third term is approaching, reports on political violence against the opposition are increasing. Observers doubt the referendum will be held in free and fair circumstances. According to reports, on 3 November 2001 members of the Guinean security forces briefly detained leaders of political opposition parties and used batons and tear-gas against civilians to prevent peaceful demonstrations in Conakry, the capital. Demonstrators were also reportedly arbitrarily arrested and beaten in the northeastern town of Kankan on 30 October 2001. The Guinean security forces reportedly routinely are using violence, including torture, and other forms of intimidation to repress members of the political opposition. In the run-up to the referendum, several violations of human rights have been reported by independent organisations. The 11 November referendum is polarising the Guineans over a Constitution amendment, which would allow President Conté to run for a third, term in the presidency. Guinean opposition parties have decided to boycott the referendum, and have called for demonstrations throughout the country. Opposition spokesperson, Ba Mamadou, at an earlier Conakry press conference noted these parties would "be organising demonstrations ... meetings in Conakry and the rest of the country, marches, and other actions to prevent the ruling powers from imposing their will on the Guinean people." The opposition, which sees the referendum as a plot by President Conté to create a one-party regime, has not been willing to stop demonstrations even if they have been labelled illegal. The mobilisation against the referendum thus has not been stopped by a restrictive authorisation policy or by the violent reaction of security forces. On the contrary, the violent behaviour by security forces has provoked international solidarity with the opposition. "Arbitrary arrests and ill-treatment of peaceful political opponents are unacceptable and must be stopped," Amnesty International urged in a press release today. - As the constitutional referendum approaches, Amnesty International is increasingly concerned about the excessive use of force and other human rights violations by the Guinean security forces, the human rights group noted. Human rights violations have marred Guinea since the takeover of President Conté in a military coup in 1984. Conté was first elected in 1993 and re-elected in 1998 after a controversial vote. Already in September 1993, some 20 activists from rival political parties were killed during clashes. The December 1998 presidential election was marred by violence on the part of the security forces. Opposition parties criticized the vote as unfair and accused the government of rigging the election. Opposition leader Alpha Condé, other opposition members of parliament, local government councillors and scores of other individuals, including women and young girls, were arrested. The long list of allegations of human rights violations by the Guinean security forces have not been formally investigated by the authorities and no one has been brought to justice for these crimes. "The security forces continue to act with impunity," Amnesty claims. Recently released opposition leader Alpha Condé is still prevented from resuming his activities as a member of the National Assembly, as the government has stated that his "criminal record" bars him from participating in political life. Condé supports the ongoing manifestations against the 11 November referendum. His spokesperson says they were important to "let the Conté regime know they can't walk all over us." Sources: Amnesty, IPS and afrol archives
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