Melanie Nathan, January 6, 2025
The United States is concerned that Guinea has not met its January 1, 2025 target date to launch its democratic transition and calls on the Guinean government to undertake a transparent and inclusive process that engages all Guineans.
Transparency and inclusivity are fundamental to a transition to civilian rule that is credible, legitimate, and sustainable. We urge the transition government to announce and enact clear timelines and concrete steps for the constitutional referendum and democratic elections.
It is vital that all parts of society, including civil society organizations, political parties, media organizations and the broader public, are actively involved in shaping Guinea’s future and allowed to fully participate in the referendum and electoral process. The United States notes in its Press Release that it "remains committed to supporting the Guinean people in their pursuit of a stable and democratic future."
On another note: Guinea is a dangerous country for LGBTI people, as well as for those perceived or imputed as such, including allies or advocates. LGBTQI+ people are subjected to discrimination, persecution and abuse to include physical violence described as torture, which is likely to result in serious injury and possibly killing. Guinea criminalizes same-sex consensual acts and harbors severe taboos against homosexuality, metering out harsh punitive measures. Criminalization, even if not enforced serves to license serious harms by state and non-state actors alike, causing LGBTI people to flee from the country.
Religion plays a significant role. in the persecution of LGBTQI+ people in Guinea, a Muslim majority country. Together with the Christian minority, asserting gays as Satanic and abominations, foments violence against LGBTI individuals, those perceived as such, allies, or anyone supporting or associating with such. There is no government authority for Mr. Diallo to turn to for protection or help in Guinea-Conakry, and protective authorities such as Police would likely participate in the abuse of Mr. Diallo as the country conditions will show.
COUNTRY CONDITIONS EXPERT WITNESS
CONTACT: Melanie Nathan, B.A. LL.B commissionermnathan@gmail.com
Melanie Nathan, Executive Director of African Human Rights Coalition is a qualified country of origin expert witness in the United States and global immigration courts, providing expert written country conditions reports and testimony for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, non-binary, LGBTQI + asylum seekers from African Countries, to include those perceived as such, activists, allies and human rights defenders.
Melanie also consults multinational corporations regarding briefings and policy for operations and issue impacted by anti-homosexuality laws and country conditions. SEE HERE
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