The West African Bar Association (WABA) has raised alarm over escalating human rights abuses and disregard for the rule of law in Guinea-Bissau.
In a press statement, WABA expressed grave concern over the indiscriminate violations of fundamental rights and the targeting of opposition voices allegedly orchestrated by the government.
Central to these allegations is the head of government, accused of undermining the judiciary and silencing dissent.
The President of the Bar Association, Januário Pedro Correia, has reportedly been threatened, along with his family, following his public criticism of President Umaro Sissocó Embalo.
“It is more disheartening that the legal profession, the judiciary and indeed the Guinea Bissau Bar Association have been viciously attacked by the government of Guinea Bissau in the ploy to silence dissenting views and the rule of law,” WABA said.
“We have received reports that the President of the Bar Association, Januário Pedro Correia is currently being threatened alongside his family members on the account of his Press Statement released on the 31st of January, 2025, where he addressed journalists and the public on the government’s disobedience to the rule of law, criticized President Umaro Sissocó Embalo whose tenure expires in February 2025 for refusing to conduct elections or put in place a transition process, the lack of independence of the judiciary and political interference in the Administration of Justice System in Guinea-Bissau.”
WABA highlighted the plight of the Guinea-Bissau Bar Association, which has faced direct attacks, including the forced eviction from its Secretariat headquarters—despite court orders prohibiting such actions.
Correia’s January 31, 2025, statement condemned the government’s refusal to conduct elections or initiate a transition process, as well as the lack of judicial independence and political interference in the justice system.
WABA also reported the persecution of lawyers defending individuals accused of involvement in an alleged coup attempt. These lawyers, fulfilling their constitutional duties, have faced intimidation for representing their clients.
The association strongly condemned these actions, describing them as a calculated assault on the legal profession and the rule of law. WABA called for accountability, emphasizing the suffering, displacement, and loss of life caused by these violations.
The statement also referenced a recent ECOWAS peace mission to Guinea-Bissau, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
This unfolding crisis has drawn regional and international attention, with WABA urging immediate action to restore justice and uphold human rights in Guinea-Bissau.
WABA said, “We are also reliably informed that some lawyers who are defending military officers and civilians detained following the alleged coup attempt in Guinea-Bissau, are being persecuted for carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.
“It is important to emphasise that the responsibility of a lawyer involved in a criminal defence is to defend his client with the best of his ability without let or hindrance. It is therefore, unfortunate that lawyers who are defending persons accused of committing crimes are being persecuted for discharging their lawful duties to their clients.
“In furtherance of the calculated assault and terror unleashed on the legal profession, President Umaro Sissocó Embalo forcefully evicted the Guinea Bissau Bar Association from its Secretariat headquarters and the building was allocated to a government agency, despite subsisting court orders against the unlawful eviction.
“We condemn the draconian tendencies of the government of Guinea Bissau which continue to violate the fundamental rights and dignity of individuals and professional institutions.”
“These grave violations have led to the suffering, displacement, and loss of life of some individuals, with little or no accountability. We also read the report recently that the ECOWAS delegation visited Guinea Bissau on a peace mission recently,” it added.
