The International Federation of Human Rights Leagues...

The International Federation of Human Rights Leagues (FIDH) branded Guinea a sham democracy, denouncing widespread rights abuses in the west African country. "For several years, Guinea has been living in a state of virtual democracy," the Paris-based organisation charged following the publication of a report into the rights situation in Guinea. "The regime of President Lansana Conte... has transformed political and social life in Guinea into a caricature of democracy, which violates the rights and liberties enshrined in fundamental law," it said in a statement. It urged Guinea to guarantee the security of its citizens, abolish the death penalty and release all people who had been arbitrarily detained. The report, entitled "Virtual democracy, uncertain future", was compiled following two observation missions to Guinea, in November 2003 and February 2004.