Human rights in Guinea-Bissau
 |
|---|
Guinea-Bissau’s human rights records has recently been positively cited due to the successes of several non-governmental organizations and human rights activists. In the country’s history, however, human rights abuses had been perpetrated during periods of political turmoil and conflict. Overall, the situation of human rights in Guinea-Bissau has been described as a reflection of the political, social, economic, and cultural path the country took since independence.[1]
Independence and human rights
[edit]After Guinea-Bissau’s independence, the liberation movement African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) dominated the government for many years. It initially adopted the Marxist-Leninist political and economic systems.[2] The move to centralize power and socialize the country’s economy had resulted to an inefficient state apparatus that increased the incidence of poverty. It also led to a spate of human rights violations as the state security executed individuals branded as collaborators of the Portuguese regime. The nascent state also faced a series of internal conflicts, violence, and instability, which created conditions for the violation of civil liberties.[2]
The dictatorial and autocratic rule was followed by four military coup d’état, a civil war, and the murder of the country’s independence leader, Amílcar Cabral.[3] The internal strife that emerged during these periods of instability led to perpetuation of human rights abuses. After Cabral’s death, he was succeeded by his brother and PAIGC co-founder, Luís Cabral. The new government then attempted to consolidate power by imprisoning individuals suspected of participating in coup plots without trial.[4] Cabral was overthrown during the military takeover in 1980.
Vieira’s regime
[edit]After the coup, Brigadier Joao Bernardo Vieira was installed as President of the national revolutionary council, which was composed of military officers.[4] By 1981, the national congress passed a law establishing PAIGC as the single national party under the pretext that the initiatives were being pursued in preparation for national elections and the formation of a permanent governmental structure. In 1994, the first multiparty election was held in Guinea-Bissau and Vieira emerged victorious. Under this new regime, the prominent human rights problems included:
- Violent dispersal of demonstrations
- Poor prison conditions
- Corruption and impunity
- Violence and discrimination against women
- Female genital mutilation
- Child labor
- Child trafficking[5]
Vieira was also overthrown after a bitter civil war from June 1998 to May 1999. After this conflict was concluded and Kumba Ialá assumed power, there were only few reports of the massacres and systematic torture that often come with civil wars. During Yala’s regime, which ended the 26 years of PAIGC governance, human rights abuses continued at the hands of security forces. Human rights activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens were subjected to torture and imprisonment.[6] These were perpetrated with impunity because opposing political parties and the civic society were too intimidated to serve as counterweight to Yala’s rule.[7]
Recent developments
[edit]During the United Nations’ 2015 Universal Periodic Review (UPR), which evaluated Guinea-Bissau’s human rights performance in terms of legislative developments, it was found that the country has made progress in the area of equality. It has recognized discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity as a serious state concern. The state also reaffirmed the constitutional guarantee for the equality of all citizens.[8]
By 2021, human rights issues include reports of harassment, arbitrary detentions, and physical assault involving activists and journalists who criticize the government.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ IMF (2011). Guinea-Bissau: Second Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. International Monetary Fund. p. 23. ISBN 978-1-4639-2850-6.
- ^ a b "The Status of Human Rights Organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa -- Guinea-Bissau". hrlibrary.umn.edu. http://hrlibrary.umn.edu/africa/gbissau.htm
- ^ Senghore, Abdullah (5 January 2018). Democracy, Human Rights and Governance in The Gambia:: Essays on Social Adjustment. African Books Collective. ISBN 978-9983-94-603-1.
- ^ a b Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Report Submitted to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, U.S. House of Representatives and Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate by the Department of State in Accordance with Sections 116(d) and 502B(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as Amended. p. 140. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1983.
- ^ Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Report Submitted to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, U.S. House of Representatives and Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate by the Department of State in Accordance with Sections 116(d) and 502B(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as Amended. U.S. Government Printing Office. 2005. p. 283.
- ^ Ciment, James (27 March 2015). Encyclopedia of Conflicts Since World War II. Routledge. p. 188. ISBN 978-1-317-47186-8.
- ^ Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2003-2004. U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. 2004. p. 35. ISBN 978-0-16-072270-7.
- ^ African Human Rights Yearbook / Annuaire africain des droits de l’homme 3 (2019). Pretoria University Law Press. 1 January 2019. p. 113.
- ^ "Guinea-Bissau: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report". Freedom House.https://freedomhouse.org/country/guinea-bissau/freedom-world/2022
