from EMEKA OKONKWO in Abuja, Nigeria
Nigeria Bureau
ABUJA, (CAJ News) – THERE is concern over the shrinking civil space in the West African country of Guinea-Bissau.
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UN HRC) has expressed worry over recent numerous allegations of intimidation, harassment and, in some cases, arbitrary arrests and detentions of human rights and environmental defenders, journalists and trade union members.
“Women’s organisations and environmental advocates appear to have been specifically targeted,” Liz Throssell, UN Human Rights spokesperson, lamented.
The envoy has appealed to the government of President Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embaló to release individuals detained and drop charges while others facing charges should have their rights to due process and a fair trial respected.
Throssell called on the authorities to seize the opportunity of this week’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Guinea-Bissau at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva to engage more constructively with civil society, take steps to protect human rights and environmental defenders, journalists, and unionists and commit to implement fully the recommendations made to Guinea-Bissau through the UPR process.
President since 2020, Embaló (52) is a political scientist and military officer who previously served as prime minister between 2016 and 2018,
Elections were scheduled for November 2024 but, citing political instability, he has announced the 30th of the same month this year as the new date.
The opposition thus see Embaló as an illegitimate president as his term elapsed, based on the time elections were initially scheduled.
Guinea-Bissau’s crisis is the latest problem faced by the Economic Community of West African States, headquartered in Nigeria.
– CAJ News