Reforming Guinea-Bissau justice system will be a “monumental” task, says UN Special Rapporteur

In her findings, the Special Rapporteur said in almost every meeting during the visit, the state of the justice system in Guinea-Bissau was described as “sad”, “terrible” and “reflecting the situation of the country”. As a result, justice is distant from the people and poor; Impunity is rampant, political instability is high and the crimes of the past are still to be addressed; Corruption is also widespread, including among actors in the justice system, “although difficult to assess.”

Thus recognizing that the task is monumental, the Special Rapporteur refuses to accept the idea that improvements are not possible.

In her report Mónica Pinto makes 37 important recommendations to the State of Guinea Bissau which include investigating and prosecuting effectively “all serious human rights violations and politically motivated crimes “sanctioning perpetrators if found guilty.

The special rapporteur also calls on the implementation of the recommendations of the 2013 conference on impunity, justice and human rights.

According to her, given the current economic and development situation of the country, this series of recommendations can be implemented only with the close and continued technical and financial support of international donors and the United Nations.

While underlining that the Government needs to accept its responsibilities, Mónica Pinto acknowledges that Guinea-Bissau can count on a generation of qualified professionals who are willing and able to work hard to improve the justice system if given the opportunity to do so.

Highlighting the “well-articulated understanding of issues concerning the justice system from a human rights perspective” demonstrated by non-governmental organizations and associations, she stresses that they should be put at the forefront of reform.

In its 2267 Resolution on Guinea-Bissau, the Security Council requested UNIOGBIS to provide strategic and technical advice and support for the establishment of effective and efficient law enforcement and criminal justice and penitentiary systems, capable of maintaining public security and combating impunity, while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.

UNIOGBIS was also requested to assist national authorities in the promotion and protection of human rights as well as undertake human rights monitoring and reporting activities.

UNIOGBIS/PIU