The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) welcomes the release of Alpha Paina Camara, a leading civil society activist arrested during a swoop on anti-government protesters by security forces in the Prefecture of Maferinya in Guinea.
Camara was released on June 10, 2019, after spending three days in detention. This followed a request by his lawyers citing his deteriorating health condition.
Camara is a leading member of the Front National pour la Defense de la Constitution, (FNDC), a coalition of opposition parties and civil society organisations opposed to attempts by President Alpha Conde to seek a third term in office.
On June 7, 2019, the authorities in the Prefecture of Maferinya violently quelled a protest by the FNDC and arrested Camara, the local coordinator.
The protesters had gathered at the meeting point when security forces arrived in four pick-ups, followed by another contingent of four pick-ups and started attacking everybody in sight.
Camara was arrested and taken into detention where his health suddenly deteriorated.
The MFWA considers Camara’s arrest and detention as a flagrant abuse of his right to personal liberty and peaceful assembly. We therefore welcome the release of the activist and urge the authorities in Guinea to call the security forces to order and also take steps to ensure that protesters are protected and not subjected to police brutalities.
