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Atlanta, Georgia

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Community News #1 -YOUR SUPPORT TO PROTEST AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES CIVILIAN RAPES AND KILLINGS IN GUINEA

In lights of the events that transpired in Guinea on September 28th 2009, during which unknown numbers of civilians were killed by the army following a demonstration to protest the military regime of Captain Moussa Dadis Camara; The Association of Guineans in Atlanta, A.R.G.A, believes that an inquiry will prove to be successful on a number of levels, but especially in recognizing the need to protect Guinean citizens from political repression. We also invite you to help us organize at the CNN / CENTENNIAL PARK on December 08, 2009, a day of protestation against the junta and its leader, for they have shown their true face by ordering the demonstration to be so brutally repressed. A day of demonstration turned into bloodshed, when multiple shots were directly fired in the crowd killing dozens of people while chasing, beating and raping the survivors. Whereas these crimes are unjust and constitute a blatant violation of basic human rights. Whereas the Junta is responsible for allowing human rights abuses and betrayal of public trust by its military units. Whereas Captain Dadis Camara is willing to distort the truth instead of condemning these crimes, and must be held responsible for allowing them to occur.

Following the fact that he and the CNDD cannot be trusted to conduct a professional or
credible investigation of these matters. Following the inevitability of his resignation with regard to his involvement in the killings of civilians by the armed forces; We ask that a
transitional government be created until the democratic elections. While congratulating
the position of the International Community, we urge that the International Human Rights
Council collects testimony of the victims for an inquiry into these crimes. We applaud their initiative to officially establish an independent Commission in order to investigate and recommend that those involved be brought to justice. The people manifest their deep
concern for the constant violations of civil liberties that take place in Guinea, and
encourage ALL to recognize and address the problem. To refuse any attempt by the
perpetrators to deny the reality of the events or jeopardize the political stability
needed for true democracy. In the hope to have this important issue addressed for the sake of justice, we wait to hear from you.

The Executive Board of A.R.G.A for The Association of Guineans in Atlanta
(SEE IMAGES)
http://www.france24.com/en/20090929-france-military-ties-guinea-crackdown-moussa-dadis-camara-kouchner  
http://www.usafricaonline.com/guinea-soldiers-raping-women-go-viral-via-cell-phones/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8342778.stm  
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/10/27/guinea-september-28-massacre-was-premeditated

Community News #1 - Press Release
COMMUNITY TO PROTEST AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES, CIVILIAN RAPES AND KILLINGS IN GUINEA

Contact:  Aboubacar Balde, President (770) 374-0986
Aicha Diarra, Administrative Secretary (678) 933-5576

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Atlanta, GA (December 2, 2009) –The Association of Guineans in Atlanta (ARGA) will hold a protest and rally on Tuesday December 8, 2009 at the CNN Center,190 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 3003, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Because of the continued unrest in their homeland, and the recent massacre of 157 civilians and the beating of opposition leaders, the rape and abuse of hundreds women and the reported injuring of more than 1000 people by the police and army, ARGA wants to publicize these violations of civil liberties to the consciousness of the Atlanta community.
On September 28, 2009 civilians were killed by the army following a demonstration to protest the military regime of Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, who seized power when General President Lansana Conte died, after more than 24 years of dictatorial military rule.  A day of peaceful protest and demonstration turned into bloodshed, when multiple shots were directly fired by the police and military directly into the crowd at the national soccer stadium, killing dozens of people while chasing, beating and raping several female demonstrators. The massacre was reported by local and international press and several eyewitness accounts documented these atrocities by video and photographs taken with cell phones. 
ARGA feels it is important to protect Guinean citizens, especially women and children from political oppression. The organization has called for a professional and credible investigation of the massacre.  Guineans living in Atlanta plan a protest demonstration to express their deep concern for the constant violations of civil liberties that have taken place in Guinea.
Junta leader Captain Dadis Camara expressed his regret, but did not condemn the crimes. “He must be held responsible for allowing this tragedy to occur,” said, Aboubacar Balde, ARGA president. “We ask that a transitional government be created until democratic elections are organized.  ARGA congratulates the position of the Honorable Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the international community, during this difficult time in our country, and support the action of the United Nations commission of inquiry on Guinea to collect testimony of the victims for an investigation into these atrocities for the sake of justice,” Balde added.
ARGA is a non-profit organization established for the cultural unity of the people of Guinea in the state of Georgia and the rest of the United States.  Our goal is to introduce and link our association to the metro-Atlanta community. We invite Guineans and Americans to join us in building a bridge of understanding and mutual respect.
The Republic of Guinea, West Africa is on the Atlantic coast, bordered by Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Slightly smaller than Oregon, the country consists of a coastal plain, mountainous regions, savanna and forest areas in the Guinea Highlands. The country is endowed with many natural resources including diamond, gold and bauxite.