Conakry, Paris, 31 July 2025. On 31 July 2024, after almost 15 years, the Dixinn Court convicted several senior officials, among them Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, of crimes against humanity, for their role in the events that took place at the Conakry stadium over the course of several days.
One year after the verdict, the requests for appeal filled by almost all of the parties remain at a standstill. To date, no hearings have been held, and no official information has been communicated that would indicate a genuine willingness to pursue proceedings. On the contrary, on 28 March 2025, to everyone’s surprise, the Guinean Head of State, General Mamadi Doumbouya, granted a presidential pardon to Moussa Dadis Camara, on the grounds of ill health – a decision that sparked outrage.
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), the Organisation guinéenne de défense des droits de l’Homme et du citoyen (OGDH), and the Association des victimes, parents et amis du 28 septembre 2009 (AVIPA) have raised the alarm.
"The presidential pardon granted to Moussa Dadis Camara, despite his conviction for crimes against humanity, throws into question Guinea’s compliance with its regional and international obligations. The pardon, which was granted before requests for appeal had been examined, jeopardizes victims’ right to justice", explained Drissa Traoré, Secretary General of FIDH.
The complete lack of information regarding the requests for appeal and related proceedings contributes to the feelings of injustice expressed by the victims.
"The lack of any action or communication from judicial authorities regarding the status of the requests for appeal and other cases related to the events of 28 September 2009 perpetuates a state of uncertainty that undermines victims’ right to a fair trial within a reasonable time as per international norms [...] We call for the urgent opening of hearings, both for appeals and related proceedings", stated Alpha Amadou DS Bah, president of the OGDH and coordinator of the layers’ collective representing the victims.
The other major issue is compensation. The adoption of the 26 March 2025 decree on compensation for the 334 victims identified in the court’s decision of 31 July 2024 was commended, but more than 400 other victims who were civil parties in the proceedings were excluded, without a clear explanation. Moreover, the lack of clarity and the dysfunction of the commission charged with compensation are causing grave concern.
"The criteria used to determine which victims are eligible and the payment procedures are neither transparent nor clearly communicated. This gives rise to a deep sense of injustice among the victims who were excluded without any explanation. These problems weaken cohesion among the victims and expose their [legal] representatives, including myself, to security risks", explained Asmaou Diallo, President of AVIPA.
In their fight for justice and against impunity in Guinea, which started almost 16 years ago, the perseverance and determination of the victims of the crimes committed on 28 September 2009 have often been put to the test. A year after the verdict that brought hope, judicial inaction and arbitrary political decisions threaten the fight against impunity in Guinea. The wait is becoming unbearable. The time has come to act. FIDH, OGDH, and Avipa call on Guinean authorities to make justice a priority once again, by relaunching judicial proceedings related to the trial for the 28 September 2009 killings. All three organisations call on Guinea’s trading partners, international institutions, in particular the International Criminal Court, the United Nations, the African Union, and the European Union to strengthen and coordinate their actions so as to support justice and the fight against impunity in Guinea.
For further information, go to the page dedicated to the pursuit of justice for the 28 September 2009 killings.