HRW flags concerns over March referendum

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Guinea's Government to respect freedom of assembly and ensure security forces are disciplined ahead of the 1 March constitutional referendum. The referendum could clear the way for President Alpha Condé to run for a third presidential term. Since widespread demonstrations against the new Constitution began five months ago, security forces have used tear gas and ammunition against protesters. More than 30 people have been killed and dozens injured. ‘The risk of a further crackdown by the security forces increases,’ said Corinne Dufka, West Africa director at HRW. ‘Guinea's Government needs to ensure that police and gendarme exercise restraint and discipline when policing opposition protests.’ Condé has said if a new Constitution was passed, his party would decide whether he could run for re-election. Legalbrief reports that when he took office in 2010, he became the first freely-elected President in the country's history. He was re-elected in 2015 with almost 58% of the vote.