28 May 2012 - The United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) today condemned the use of force by members of Guinean security and defense forces on Friday, 25 May 2012, against a group of demonstrators concentrated in front of its premises while it was hosting a meeting of international partners accredited to Guinea-Bissau.

In a statement issued today, the UN office reminds that "the right to freedom of assembly, expression and association is guaranteed in the national legislation as well as in the international conventions adopted / ratified by Guinea-Bissau, and that they should be strictly respected and protected by competent authorities."

The office calls on Guinean security and defense forces "to ensure respect for the rule of law and for the fundamental rights and freedoms of all individuals", as a pre-condition for peace consolidation in the West-African country.

The statement also emphasizes that Security Council Resolution 2048 (2012) of 18 May had already expressed concern about "reports of human rights violations, including with regard to the repression of peaceful demonstrations".

Finally, UNIOGBIS reaffirms the United Nations' commitment to ensure that "the human rights of all individuals in Guinea-Bissau are respected, protected and promoted."