Sexual Assault
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CIVICUS calls for Restoration of Democracy and Justice in Guinea
08 October 2009, Johannesburg, South Africa
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation expresses deepest condemnation at the killing of at least 157 protestors and the wounding of over a thousand people during a military crackdown upon a large scale public protest in Guinea on 28 September. The protest was sparked by indications given by the leader of the military regime, Captain Moussa "Dadis" Camara that he may stand for the national presidential election scheduled in January 2010, reneging on a previous promise not to contest the election. A number of female protestors were raped and sexually assaulted with guns by soldiers in the streets of the capital city, Conakry in what clearly are repugnant criminal acts against citizens exercising their right of democratic dissent.
Guinea has a long history of military dictatorships. The present military regime headed by Captain Camara seized power in a coup in December 2008 following the death of President Lasana Conté who controlled Guinea from 1984-2008 by means of another military dictatorship. Although, the regime has promised to hold elections, no indications of any substantive commitment to a free and fair democratic process have emerged, as evidenced by indications given by Captain Camara to stand for elections while being in control of all state institutions.
"As a condition precedent to the restoration of democracy in the country, it is essential that an independent, impartial investigation by international experts is conducted into the tragic events of 28 September and those responsible are brought to justice," said Ingrid Srinath, Secretary General of CIVICUS. "For there to be a peaceful transition, the military in Guinea must commit itself to not interfering with or contesting future elections. If the situation is left unaddressed, it could have grave geo-political implications for the politically fragile West African region which has a history of civil war and conflict fuelled by military regimes."Civil society members, journalists and political activists were severely harassed following the 28 September massacre. The present climate of fear and insecurity in the country has seriously affected exercise of the freedoms of expression and assembly, raising concerns amongst civil society about the sincerity of the regime's commitment to ushering in democratic rule.
CIVICUS supports the collective demands of NGOs, trade unions and political groups which include release of all persons detained during and after the demonstrations including a number of women who have been sexually assaulted; return of bodies of slain civilians to their families; fair and adequate compensation to victims and prosecution of the offenders; the establishment of an international commission of inquiry to investigate the events; measures to protect civil society members, the independent media and opposition political activists; and complete restructuring of the security apparatus to enable respect for Guinea's commitments to its people under domestic and international human rights and humanitarian law.
CIVICUS calls upon the United Nations, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States and other members of the international community involved in deliberations with the military regime to take into account the demands of civil society and the aspirations of the people of Guinea. In crafting a solution to the current crisis, political considerations must not be allowed to subsume the course of justice for the victims.
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation is a global movement of civil society with members and partners in over a hundred countries. The Civil Society Watch (CSW) programme of CIVICUS tracks threats to civil society freedoms of expression, association and assembly across the world. In 2008, CSW tracked threats in 61 countries across the globe.
For more information visit: www.civicus.org or contact Jessica Hume (), Communications Officer or Mandeep S.Tiwana (),Civil Society Watch Programme Officer
Tel: +27- 11 -833 5959 mob: +27 714698121
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INDIA: ‘Civil society organisations are at the forefront of the fight against gender-based violence’
CIVICUS discusses the recent wave of protests against gender-based violence (GBV) in India with Dr Kavitha Ravi, a member of the Indian Medical Association (IMA).Protests erupted across India after a 31-year-old female medical trainee was raped and murdered in a Kolkata hospital on 9 August. The IMA called a strike, with protests held in major cities including Kolkata and Mumbai. While the official strike has ended, many doctors, particularly junior doctors, remain on strike and protests continue to demand justice, accountability and safer working conditions for women.
What triggered the recent protests against GBV in India?
Protests erupted after the tragic rape and murder of a young female doctor at the R G Kar Medical College in Kolkata on 9 August. This horrific incident shocked the nation and sparked widespread outrage. In response, a coalition of doctors, medical associations such as the IMA and various resident and faculty associations joined together in a nationwide strike to demand justice for the victim and better safety measures for health workers, particularly women who face significant risks in the workplace.
Protesters are calling for major reforms, including the adoption of a Hospital Protection Act, which would designate hospitals as safe zones and introduce measures to create a safer environment for health workers. Their demands are part of a larger movement to comprehensively address GBV, prevent similar tragedies in the future and create a safer and more supportive working environment for everyone in the health sector.
What steps have been taken so far to ensure justice and the safety of female health workers?
The judicial system has acted swiftly by transferring the case to a higher authority to ensure a thorough investigation after concerns were raised about the police’s initial inquiry, which was not accepted by the students or the victim’s family. They were sceptical, believing the police might be favouring the college authorities and supporting the accused.
This decision aims to ensure a detailed investigation so justice can be done. The Supreme Court of India is also overseeing the case to monitor its progress, address any issues that may arise and ensure all necessary steps are taken to uphold justice.
In parallel, several initiatives are underway to improve the safety of female health workers. The Ministry of Health has proposed establishing a committee to review and improve safety protocols in health facilities. There are also plans to increase security in hospitals and establish a new national taskforce dedicated to improving safety through better infrastructure, advanced technology and additional security measures. However, despite these efforts, more needs to be done to combat GBV and ensure that these measures effectively protect female health workers.
How have the authorities responded to the protests?
The authorities have taken a mixed approach to the nationwide strike, combining concessions with new measures to address immediate concerns. The Health Ministry has drawn up a detailed plan to increase security in central government hospitals. This includes installing high-resolution CCTV cameras, monitoring access points with identification badges, deploying trained security personnel for constant patrolling and securing duty rooms for female staff. Hospitals are also encouraged to develop and regularly update emergency response plans and conduct mock drills.
In response to these measures, the IMA suspended its strike. However, other doctors’ associations have continued to protest for more substantial reforms. Many people remain dissatisfied, particularly after recent incidents of police violence. While the Supreme Court’s intervention may have temporarily eased the tensions, protesters remain concerned about the new measures’ effectiveness and full implementation.
Why is GBV so prevalent in India, and what’s being done about it?
Deep-rooted cultural, social, economic and legal factors account for the high prevalence of GBV in India. This is a patriarchal country where traditional gender roles and the subjugation of women are deeply entrenched. Women tend to be economically dependent on men, which traps them in abusive relationships that make it difficult for them to seek help or escape. Intergenerational cycles of violence perpetuate the problem, as children who witness or experience abuse may come to see such behaviour as normal.
Low literacy rates, particularly in rural areas, further limit women’s understanding of their rights and the available support. When they do seek justice, the system often fails to protect the victims or hold perpetrators accountable. Systemic failures in law enforcement and justice help perpetuate GBV.
Many initiatives and campaigns have helped highlight and address this issue. But it has not been easy. A lack of consistent political will and weak implementation of policies have hindered substantial change. Feminist and social justice movements often face resistance from conservative parts of society, making it difficult to change these deeply entrenched cultural norms.
To combat GBV effectively, we need a comprehensive approach that includes better education, legal reform, economic empowerment and cultural change. Civil society organisations are at the forefront of this fight, actively advocating for stronger laws, better enforcement and increased public awareness. Continued and robust efforts are essential to address this widespread problem and ensure meaningful change.
Civic space in India is rated ‘repressed’ by theCIVICUS Monitor.
Get in touch with the Indian Medical Association through itswebsite orFacebook page, and follow@IMAIndiaOrg on Twitter.
