Tuesday, September 12, 2000
UNHCR sends message to Guinea on refugee protection
12 September -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has sent a message to the authorities in Guinea urging them to continue to provide protection to refugees in the country.
The agency said today its regional director based in Abidjan will travel to Conakry, Guinea, to deliver the message from High Commissioner Sadako Ogata, who is also asking all refugees in Guinea to refrain from any criminal and political acts and to respect the country's laws.
According to a UNHCR spokesman, there have been unconfirmed reports of abuse against foreigners while in detention, including alleged cases of rape. "UNHCR is condemning any violence against refugees," spokesman Kris Janowski told reporters in Geneva, adding that the agency is calling on both the Government and people of Guinea to respect the refugees' rights.
Over the weekend, police in Conakry arrested at least 3,000 foreigners following a series of violent attacks by Liberian and Sierra Leonean rebels on Guinean villages, according to UNHCR. Guinean authorities estimated that at least 80 civilians were killed in the attacks. "The situation calmed down after the foreigners were rounded up and detained," Mr. Janowski said.
The Guinean authorities have agreed to release those detained foreigners on condition that they first be screened by UNHCR and local officials. Between 800 and 1,000 persons were released on Monday and more should be let out today, according to UNHCR. Those with Guinean papers will be able to go home, while the others will be taken to a UNHCR-run camp where they will receive food and other assistance.
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