ARRESTED ACTIVISTS’ WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN

On July 9, activists, Oumar Sylla (alias Fonike Mengue) and Mamadou Billo Bah, were arrested by defense and security forces in Oumar Sylla’s home in Conakry, Guinea’s capital. They have since been subjected to enforced disappearance, with their whereabouts unknown. On the day of their arrest, Oumar Sylla called on social networks for people to wear red clothes on July 11 to protest, among other things, against the crackdown on media and the high cost of living. The Guinean authorities must immediately disclose information regarding Oumar Sylla and Mamadou Billo Bah’s whereabouts, protect their physical integrity and ensure the two activists are immediately and unconditionally released.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: December 10, 2024

take action:

• Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
• Click here to let us know the actions you took on Second Urgent Action 67.24. It’s important to report because we share the total number with the officials we are trying to persuade and the people we are trying to help.

contact information:

sample letter:

Dear Prime Minister, / Dear Minister,

I am writing to express my grave concern regarding the enforced disappearances of Oumar Sylla (alias Fonike Mengue) and Mamadou Billo Bah. On July 9, the two activists and members of the National Front for the Defense of the Constitution (FNDC), were arrested by armed defense and security forces in Oumar Sylla’s house in Conakry, Guinea’s capital. According to a press release issued by the FNDC on July 10, they were subsequently taken to the Gendarmerie Headquarters and then to Kassa island, an army camp. Since then, Oumar Sylla and Mamadou Billo Bah have had no contact with their lawyers and families, and their whereabouts remain unknown.

On July 17, your office issued a press release stating that no investigative body has carried out any arrest of Oumar Sylla and Mamadou Billo Bah, and they were not detained in any of the prisons in the country. According to the official press release, the two activists have been abducted.

Oumar Sylla and Mamadou Billo Bah’s enforced disappearances put their safety at risk. Amnesty International believes Oumar Sylla and Mamadou Billo Bah are being arbitrary detained solely because of their activism and criticism of the Guinean authorities, in violation of their right to freedom of expression.

I urge you to immediately release Oumar Sylla and Mamadou Billo Bah and ensure there is an effective investigation into their enforced disappearance, capable of bringing anyone suspected of criminal responsibility to justice in fair trials. Pending their release, I urge you to guarantee they are protected from torture and other ill-treatment while in detention.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• READ THE FULL URGENT ACTION: Wordopens in a new tab or PDFopens in a new tab
• GET INSPIRED: Read about the people you have helped
• READ TIPS for writing effective letters and emails
• CONTACT US: [email protected]