Amnesty   International / rapport 2016/17

La situation des droits humains dans le monde

Auteur (s): Amnesty International

Type de document: Rapport

Date de publication: 2017

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La crise politique persistante a retardé la mise en œuvre des recommandations de l’Examen périodique universel des Nations unies de 2015 et entravé les réformes économiques et sociales. Rien n’a été fait pour améliorer les conditions de détention. Les autorités judiciaires n’ont pas toujours respecté les garanties d’une procédure régulière et ont été accusées d’incompétence et de corruption.

Contexte

En février, le Conseil de sécurité de l’ONU a prolongé d’une année supplémentaire le mandat du Bureau intégré des Nations unies pour la consolidation de la paix en Guinée-Bissau (BINUGBIS). Les tensions entre le président José Mário Vaz, le gouvernement et l’Assemblée nationale, ainsi qu’au sein du parti au pouvoir, le Parti africain pour l’indépendance de la Guinée et du Cap-Vert (PAIGC), se sont accrues, paralysant les procédures parlementaires.

En janvier, la Commission permanente de l’Assemblée nationale a déchu de leur mandat 15 députés, car ils avaient refusé de soutenir le programme du gouvernement.

En janvier, la Commission permanente de l’Assemblée nationale a déchu de leur mandat 15 députés, car ils avaient refusé de soutenir le programme du gouvernement. Les tensions politiques se sont encore accrues à la mi-mai, quand le Premier ministre Carlos Correia a été démis de ses fonctions. Deux semaines plus tard, la nomination de Baciro Djá à ce poste a déclenché de violentes manifestations. La police a recouru à la force, faisant notamment usage de gaz lacrymogène, pour disperser des manifestants qui lançaient des pierres et brûlaient des pneus devant le palais présidentiel. En septembre, la Guinée-Bissau a adhéré à la Convention relative au statut des apatrides [ONU] et à la Convention sur la réduction des cas d’apatridie [ONU].

Justice

Le système de justice pénale restait précaire et ne garantissait pas une procédure régulière. Dans le rapport qu’elle a publié en juin sur sa visite dans le pays en 2015, la rapporteuse spéciale des Nations unies sur l’indépendance des juges et des avocats a qualifié la situation du système judiciaire de « triste » et de « terrible ». Elle a souligné que le manque de ressources, l’incompétence, la corruption, l’impunité et l’accès limité à la justice représentaient les principaux obstacles à l’indépendance de la justice. En juillet, il a fallu à la Cour suprême plus de 20 jours, alors qu’une limite de 10 jours est prévue par la loi, pour déférer aux requêtes en habeas corpus introduites pour contester la détention du député Gabriel So. Le tribunal régional de Bissau avait ordonné son arrestation, malgré son immunité parlementaire.

Obligation de rendre des comptes

Les enquêtes sur des atteintes aux droits humains commises par le passé, dont des assassinats politiques perpétrés entre 2009 et 2012, n’ont pas progressé. Néanmoins, au mois de mai, le tribunal régional de Bissorã (région d’Oio), a reconnu quatre policiers coupables d’avoir battu à mort Tchutcho Mendonça en juillet 2015 alors qu’il se trouvait en garde à vue. Trois d’entre eux ont été condamnés à sept ans et trois mois d’emprisonnement, le quatrième à cinq ans d’emprisonnement.

Conditions de détention

Les autorités n’ont rien fait pour améliorer les conditions de détention. Les prisons et autres centres de détention n’étaient toujours pas équipés d’installations sanitaires adaptées et restaient caractérisés par une forte surpopulation. La nourriture y était insuffisante et les soins de santé très limités. Les détenus devaient s’en remettre à leur famille ou à la bonne volonté d’autres prisonniers pour obtenir de la nourriture et des médicaments. Dans les centres de détention de la capitale, Bissau, les conditions carcérales s’apparentaient à une forme de traitement cruel, inhumain ou dégradant. Plus de 90 personnes étaient régulièrement retenues dans les locaux de la police judiciaire, prévus pour en accueillir 35. Elles n’étaient pas séparées selon leur sexe, leur âge ou le type d’infraction qu’elles avaient commis et, bien souvent, certaines étaient détenues sans inculpation au-delà des 48 heures prévues par la loi.

 

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Women’s situation in Guinea Bissau

Auteur(s): Social Institutions and Gender Index (OECD Development Center)

Type de publication: Rapport

Date de publication: 2019

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Discrimination in the family

• Overarching legal framework for marriage

Under the Civil Code, women and men have the same rights to enter into marriage, provided there is mutual consent (Art. 1617). Both civil and religious marriages are recognized by law as well as de facto unions (Civil Code, Art. 1576 & 1587).

While women have the same rights as men by law, discrimination against women remains a problem, particularly in rural areas where traditional and Islamic laws dominate. Where customary law applies, early and forced marriage, polygamy and levirate (i.e. where a widow is required to marry the brother of her late husband so that she remains in the same household group) continue to persist and are widespread particularly in rural areas (Emery, 2014; CEDAW, 2009; Africa For Women’s Rights, n.d.). In some areas, women do not have the right to choose their husbands (CEDAW, State Party Report, 2009).

• Child marriage

In 2011, the State adopted the Act of Reproductive Health, which raised the minimum age for marriage to 18 years old for both girls and boys. Previously, the legal age of marriage was 14 years old for girls and 16 years old for boys (Africa for Women’s Rights, n.d.). Marriage of a child under the legal age may be permissible if there is consent by a parent, guardian or court authority, or if the child is emancipated by law (Civil Code, Art. 1649).

Discriminatory practices such as early and forced marriage continue to affect women and girls in the country (CRC, 2013; CEDAW, 2009). This is particularly the case in poor, rural areas where in some instances girls are forced to marry before they reach the age of 15 years old (CRC, 2013).

• Household responsibilities

While the Constitution places women and men on equal footing with regard to legal status and rights, the Civil Code designates the husband as the sole head of the family (Art. 1674). In this capacity, the husband has full authority to represent his wife and make decisions on all matters relating to their married life (Civil Code, Art. 1674). The wife cannot do business without the consent of the husband unless she is appointed the administrator of all the couple’s assets (Civil Code, Art. 1674). The law however does not require a married woman to obtain her husband’s consent to work or obtain a profession (Civil Code, Art. 1676).

Marriage of a child under the legal age may be permissible if there is consent by a parent, guardian or court authority, or if the child is emancipated by law

With regard to children, the Civil Code outlines special functions for the father and mother. The father is responsible to provide the child with financial assistance and moral guidance, as well as authorize consent for specific tasks, including choosing their profession and manage their assets (Art. 1881). The mother’s legal role is to support and fulfil the father’s role if and when the father is remotely located or unable to perform for some reason (Civil Code, Art. 1881).

Guinea-Bissau continues to be characterized by a deeply patriarchal social structure where discriminatory norms and attitudes shape the roles and responsibilities of women and men in all spheres of life (CEDAW, 2009). Women are disproportionately responsible for domestic duties (e.g. maintain the household, raising of the children) (CEDAW, State Party Report, 2009).

• Divorce

Under civil law, a marriage can be dissolved upon death or divorce by either spouse (Civil Code, Art 1792). Divorce may be initiated by either of the spouses on the basis of various grounds, including mutual consent by both spouses, and finalized through a court decision (Act No. 6/76, Art. 4). This is also applicable in customary law where village courts adjudicate over divorce cases, allowing both women and men to initiate divorce (Emery, 2013). This is a progressive development where previously men were allowed to divorce their wives unilaterally (Emery, 2013). As an exception to these provisions, the state’s civil law also stipulates that the application of divorce does not extend to catholic marriage (Civil Code, Art 1790).

The Civil Code designates the husband as the sole head of the family

• Inheritance

Women and girls have the same inheritance rights as men and boys (Constitution, Art 14). In practice, women are often excluded from inheritance from their husbands or fathers (CEDAW, 2009). Customary laws that govern some ethnic groups prohibit women from inheriting property and the latter is passed on to a male heir (CEDAW, 2009; Africa for Women’s Rights, n.d.). Moreover, under customary law, widows do not receive inheritance, rather are themselves inherited by the family of the deceased husband. A practice known as levirate requires the widow to marry the brother of her late husband so that she can remain in the same household group (Emery, 2014; CEDAW, 2009; Africa for Women’s Rights, n.d.). If the widow does not accept such arrangements, her and her children can be evicted from the family’s land (CEDAW, 2009).

Restricted Physical Integrity

• Violence against women

Guinea-Bissau ratified the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (The Maputo Protocol) in 2008, reinforcing its commitment to eliminate all forms of discrimination and gender based violence against women. Under the state’s Constitution, each citizen, irrespective of gender, has the right to life and to physical and mental well-being and no person may be submitted to penalties involving cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment (Art. 32). Yet, the country does not have an overarching law that specifically addresses violence against women.

Nevertheless, the country has made efforts to domesticate the protocol through adopting laws that address different forms of violence against women, including specific acts criminalizing domestic violence, rape and female genital mutilation. In the absence of a specific law prohibiting violence against women, violence including incest and domestic violence are widespread in the country (CEDAW, 2009; Africa for Women’s Rights, n.d.). Moreover, in many cases, women do not report incidents, particularly in instances of rape and other forms of sexual violence (CRC, 2013).

The wife cannot do business without the consent of the husband unless she is appointed the administrator of all the couple’s assets

• Domestic violence

In 2013, the state adopted the Domestic Violence Bill to address the pervasive problem of domestic violence in the country.

Despite the adoption of a law tackling domestic violence, it remains widespread in the country (US Department of State, 2017; Human Rights Council, 2015). It is considered socially acceptable for husbands to “discipline their wives” (Emery, 2013). In addition to the lack of resources of state structures, especially the police, to deal with domestic violence, other factors discourage women from reporting it such as the lack of capacity of state, traditional or non-profit organizations to advise and protect victims or women’s lack of knowledge their rights (AFDB, UN Women, 2015).

• Rape

Under the penal code, rape, including spousal rape, is prohibited and a perpetrator may be sentenced to two to six years in prison (Art. 133). There is also a statutory rape law prohibiting sexual intercourse with a person under age 16 years old (US Department of State, 2017).

The country does not have an overarching law that specifically addresses violence against women

However, the laws are not effectively enforced and perpetrators are rarely prosecuted, in large part due to a lack of resources (US Department of State, 2017; CRC, 2013; Africa for Women’s Rights, n.d.). In some communities, girls are forced to marry the perpetrators, or are sent back to the communities where the abuse occurred, resulting in additional social and psychological harm (CRC, 2013).

Women and girls generally do not report incidents of sexual assault or rape for fear of social stigma and retaliation, particularly among rural ethnic groups, where the norm is to settle those cases within the family and community (CRC, 2013; US Department of State, 2017). Similarly, many families tend to cover up incidents of sexual abuse within the family to avoid public shame and stigma (US Department of State, 2017). The government did not undertake any additional measures to challenge discriminatory norms that prevent women from reporting such cases (US Department of State, 2017).

• Sexual harassment

At present, there is no law specifically addressing sexual harassment (US Department of State, 2017). Across the country, sexual harassment is widespread, and if reported, the police often blame the survivors (US Department of State, 2017). Young girls are also at risk of abuse and harassment in schools given the lack of trained and qualified teachers, in particular female teachers (CRC, 2013).

Lack of capacity of state, traditional or non-profit organizations to advise and protect victims or women’s lack of knowledge their rights

• Female genital mutilation

In 2011, the State adopted a law criminalizing female genital mutilation (FGM), where conviction of the practice is punishable by a fine of up to XOF five million and five years in prison (Law against FGM/C, 2011). The government of Guinea-Bissau also developed a national action plan and established a National Committee for the Abandonment of Harmful Practices (CEDAW, 2013; Human Rights Council, 2015). In 2014, the Ministry of Health developed manuals and related strategies on reproductive health and FGM, and accordingly, public health-care institutions across the country integrated FGM prevention into their prenatal, neonatal, and immunization services (US Department of State, 2017). In addition of these efforts by the state, Muslim preachers and scholars have also called for the eradication of FGM in the country (US Department of State, 2017).

The practice remains widespread in the country, notably among rural communities (CEDAW, 2013). In some regions, FGM is practiced within the context of the “fanado”, a traditional initiation ceremony marking the passage of both boys and girls into adulthood (AFDB and UN Women, 2015). Some Muslim communities continue the practice of FGM under the pretext of religious tradition (AFDB and UN Women, 2015). Among some ethnic groups, FGM is performed on girls as young as four months old (US Department of State, 2017).

Women and girls generally do not report incidents of sexual assault or rape for fear of social stigma and retaliation

• Abortion

Abortion on-demand is illegal in Guinea-Bissau. It is permitted only to save the life of the pregnant woman (Penal Code, Art. 112). In this instance, the procedure must be performed in a hospital within the first three months of pregnancy, with the consent of the spouse, a tutor (in the case of Muslim mothers), or a legal representative if the woman is unmarried (DESA, 2014).

Restricted Access to productive and financial resources

• Secure access to land and assets

In principle, the law affords women and men equal rights to own and make decisions on property (Constitution, Art. 12-14). While the constitution establishes the principle of equality between women and men, the laws governing land and assets ownership do not reflect this in marriage. Under the Civil Code, a married couple’s assets belong to the husband, who is also designated as head of the family (Art. 1678; Africa for Women’s Rights, n.d.). The wife may only administer assets if the husband is not able to (e.g. is abroad or incapacitated for some reason) (Civil Code, Art. 1678; Africa for Women’s Rights, n.d.). Even still, the husband may denounce a transaction or contract relating to marital property at any time (CEDAW, State Party Report, 2009).

The practice remains widespread in the country, notably among rural communities

Customary regimes relating to land often exclude women or limit their access to land (CEDAW, State Party Report, 2009). In rural and traditional communities, the wife is considered inferior to her husband and has no effective rights or access to land (CEDAW, State Party Report, 2009). Women’s lack of access to property limits their access to income generating activities and their autonomy and decision making power (US Department of State, 2017).

• Secure access to formal financial resources

Under civil law, women and men are equal in all areas of political, economic, social, and cultural life (Constitution, Art. 24). In principle, this right allows women and men to open individual bank accounts as well as access formal financial services such as a line of credit or financial loan, regardless of their marital status. Reinforcing this, the civil code specifies that women have same rights as men to open a bank account and manage financial assets (Civil Code, Art 1680). In the event of a divorce, civil law stipulates that the husband and the wife have the same rights and legal capacity (CEDAW, State Party Report, 2009).

The constitution establishes the principle of equality between women and men, the laws governing land and assets ownership do not reflect this in marriage

In practice, the authority on most matters resides with the husband as he is the legal head of the household. This is particularly the case in rural areas where customary and Islamic laws dominate and discrimination against women remains a problem, especially when obtaining credit or owning and managing businesses (US Department of State, 2017; Africa for Women’s Rights, n.d.).

Restricted Civil liberties

• Citizenship rights

Under the Constitution, each citizen is afforded equal rights and legal status, regardless of race, belief, social status, sex, religion or philosophical conviction (Art. 23). By law, women and men have equal rights with regards to acquiring, changing or retaining their nationality, regardless of their marital status (Nationality Law, Ch. 3-4). Women and men have equal rights to confer their nationality to a foreign spouse (Nationality Law, Ch. 3-4). The Constitution guarantees women and men the freedom of movement, with no prohibitions on obtaining a passport or travel documents (Constitution, 1996; US Department of State, 2017).

Women’s lack of access to property limits their access to income generating activities and their autonomy and decision making power

The Nationality Law allows mothers and fathers, irrespective of marital status, to confer nationality to their children (Ch. 3) and to register the birth of their children (Ch. 7). However, birth registration rates are low (US Department of State, 2017).

• Voting

Each citizen who is 18 years of age or over can vote (Constitution, Art. 47). In practice cultural and traditional practices may prevent women from participating in political life, such as voting, on the same basis as men (US Department of State, 2017).

• Political voice

The Constitution provides each citizen, woman or man, the right and duty to participate in the nation’s political life (Constitution, Art. 43) and to be elected for public office (Art. 47).

Each citizen is afforded equal rights and legal status, regardless of race, belief, social status, sex, religion or philosophical conviction

Yet, women’s participation in public and political affairs is limited and their representation at decision making levels in government (e.g. ministers, parliamentary level) is very low (Human Rights Council, 2015). This is in part attributed to the traditional discriminatory attitudes about the roles of women in society as well as women’s lack of access to property and assets that has contributed to their limited autonomy and decision-making power (US Department of State, 2017; CEDAW, 2009).

At present, there is no legislation in place such as quotas to ensure equal representation of women in politics.

• Access to justice

Under the Constitution, each citizen is afforded the right to access justice, including to seek redress for violations of their rights, the right to counsel, and the presumption of innocence (Art. 35). Moreover, the legal system of Guinea-Bissau upholds the principle of equality of the parties (making no distinction based on sex, civil, economic or social status of parties) to ensure that justice may be accessed by all citizens for all forms of legal action whether it be criminal, civil, administrative or labour-related (Decree-Law No.11/2010; Human Rights Council, 2015; CEDAW, State Party Report, 2009).

To improve access to justice, the state has also instituted measures that provide for legal assistance; including the Legal Assistance Act. Additionally, the Guinea-Bissau Human Rights League and non-governmental organizations provide legal assistance and support for women and children (CEDAW, State Party Report, 2012).

Traditional discriminatory attitudes about the roles of women in society as well as women’s lack of access to property and assets

Even with these structures in place, women often do not seek justice, particularly in cases of rape and other forms of sexual violence (CRC, 2013). Despite the fact that traditional authorities often violate the rights of women and children, women continue to seek justice through these channels (ISSAT, 2017).

 

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La ligue des Droits de l’Homme de Guinée Bissau dénonce la crise politique que traverse le pays

Auteur (s): Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l’Homme (FIDH)

Type de publication: Déclaration

Date de publication: 06 juin 2016

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Dans un communiqué de presse publié le 25 mai 2016, la ligue des Droits de l’Homme de Guinée Bissau (LGDL), organisation membre de la FIDH en Guinée Bissau, dénonce la crise politique que traverse le pays depuis plusieurs semaines et appelle le président José Mário Vaz à y remédier de toute urgence à travers l’ouverture d’un dialogue politique inclusif.

La ligue des Droits de l’Homme de Guinée Bissau suit avec une grande inquiétude la paralysie totale de l’appareil étatique depuis deux semaines après la démission du gouvernement, en application du Décret présidentiel N°1/2016, du 12 mai. Ce dernier fait suite au gel des comptes du trésor public décidé par le procureur Général de la République.

La conséquence de cette situation dont on n’entrevoit encore aucune solution, est que beaucoup d’institutions publiques dans des domaines d’activités très variés ont cessé de répondre aux besoins pour lesquels elles ont été créés, engendrant ainsi un dysfonctionnement des services sociaux de base, notamment de la santé et de l’éducation. Si cette situation perdure, elle affectera très sérieusement le contexte social et économique du pays avec des répercussions négatives sur le processus de consolidation de la paix et de l’État de droit démocratique.

Au vu de ce qui précède, la Direction Nationale de La Ligue des Droits de L’Homme de Guinée Bissau a décidé ce qui suit:

– Reconnaître la responsabilité de la classe politique, et particulièrement celle de Monsieur le Président de République face à la détérioration du contexte social et économique qui découle de cette paralysie non justifiée de l’administration publique.

– Exiger de Monsieur le Président de la République et des principaux acteurs politiques, la formation dans le délai le plus court et dans le cadre constitutionnel, d’un gouvernement en mesure de fournir aux citoyens les services publics essentiels.

– Exhorter Monsieur le Procureur Général de la République à conformer ses actions au cadre juridique en vigueur en donnant la priorité aux mécanismes les moins restrictifs pour le contrôle de l’activité financière de l’État, de sorte à éviter des situations susceptibles d’aggraver encore plus la souffrance de ce peuple déjà martyrisé.

– Amener les forces de défense et de sécurité à demeurer fidèles aux principes de neutralité et de défense intransigeante des valeurs républicaines en rejetant toute tentative de manipulation ou d’instrumentalisation.

– Appeler le peuple Bissau Guinéen à rester calme et serein, et à user de sa maturité bien connue en faveur de la paix et de la stabilité politique et sociale.

 

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Guinée-Bissau : L’Assemblée nationale devrait adopter la loi interdisant la traite des personnes

Auteur (s): Human Rights Watch

Type de publication: Article

Date de publication: 20 juillet 2010

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Une fois au Sénégal, la plupart de ces garçons sont obligés à mendier et sont soumis à des conditions s’apparentant à l’esclavage par les marabouts dans les daaras. Un grand nombre de ces garçons subissent des sévices physiques et psychologiques graves s’ils n’arrivent pas à atteindre les quotas quotidiens d’argent

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Source photo : amazonaws.com