: Guinea: UN pledges support for justice and accountability, as stadium massacre trial begins #IndiaNEWS #International The UN chief on Wednesday paid tribute to the hundreds of victims and their

Guinea: UN pledges support for justice and accountability, as stadium massacre trial begins #IndiaNEWS #International
The UN chief on Wednesday paid tribute to the hundreds of victims and their families, of a 2009 stadium massacre in the capital of Guinea, as some of the ringleaders allegedly responsible for the gruesome death of more than 150 people that day, went on trial.

Alongside the deaths, during the opposition rally protesting military rule on 28 September, women and girls were raped, after security forces blocked off exits to the stadium in Conakry, before opening fire. Some protesters were shot dead, or brutally attacked with knives, while others were trampled to death.

#ICC Prosecutor #KarimAAKhanKC addresses survivor groups & others at courtroom in Conakry, #Guinea ahead of opening of trial addressing alleged crimes committed in September 2009. On this important day, I applaud the people of Guinea, the survivors & those who lost loved ones. pic. twitter. com/VNDXIKAFet
— Intl Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) September 28, 2022

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he took note of the start of the trials, saying the families of the dead and those who witnessed the events that day, “have waited for justice for so many years. �?
Support for justice
In a statement issued by his Spokesperson, Mr. Guterres reaffirmed the commitment of the UN to support efforts aimed at upholding justice and accountability.
“He calls on the authorities to ensure that the trials are conducted in accordance with due process of law, so that perpetrators are held accountable, and victims receive reparations. �?
Guinea’s former military ruler, Moussa Dadis Camara, is in the dock, along with ten other officials, all charged with having responsibility over the soldiers who allegedly carried out the massacre and other crimes on the day.
“The Secretary-General calls on the authorities to further ensure that human rights are respected throughout the country’s political transition process�?, said the statement. “He reiterates the solidarity and support of the United Nations to regional efforts to accompany a return to constitutional order in Guinea. �?
‘Sexual mutilation and slavery’
The acting UN human rights chief, Nada Al-Nashif, also welcomed the start of proceedings, noting that many of the 156 who disappeared or were killed during what had been a peaceful rally, had been tortured to death, with their corpses buried in mass graves.
The head of OHCHR added that at least 109 girls and women had suffered sexual violence, “including sexual mutilation and sexual slavery. �?
The UN Commission of Inquiry in 2009, concluded that there was a strong presumption that crimes against humanity were committed and that “there are reasonable grounds to suspect individual criminal responsibility�?.