2023-09-29 08:30:33
According to the UN Commission of Inquiry, the massacre of September 28, 2009 left at least 156 people missing or killed – many of whom were tortured to death and their bodies buried in mass graves – and at least 109 girls and women victims of sexual violence, including sexual mutilation and slavery.
The trial opened a year ago, 13 years following the massacre. This Thursday, September 28, 2023, human rights organizations (OGDH and FIDH) and AVIPA which support the victims hosted a conference in Conakry during which the issue of mass graves was raised.
“There is a lot of information which suggests that Faban [quartier situé derrière l’aéroport de Gbessia dans la commune de Ratoma] and in other places there are mass graves. But since we do not have concrete testimony which confirms that in these places there are mass graves, we will not talk regarding the possibility of carrying out expert assessments given that it is a public cemetery where people are buried every day. If there is not a more or less identified location, it is impossible to carry out an assessment and autopsy of an entire cemetery which has existed for several years. This is why we have launched an appeal to all people who have precise information on the location of these mass graves. Because it is important that these mass graves be identified in order to carry out an assessment and allow families to mourn,” explained the vice-president of the OGDH, lawyer for the civil party.
Concerning the missing, the lawyer recalled that there were testimonies at the bar. Maître DS Bah calls on the press to play its role so that the mass graves can also be identified through people who will come and testify.
“I think that the press has a big role to play if in communication it can bear fruit to allow people to come and testify so that these mass graves are identified, that would be a good thing. Because this is the weak link in the procedure at the September 28 trial, we do not have complete information regarding the mass graves, unfortunately. There are around a hundred missing because people have provided testimony allowing us to understand without a shadow of a doubt that these people were at the stadium, but they have never returned to their families since that date. underlines Me DS Bah.
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