Guinea
Guinea-Conakry defines and prohibits terrorism in its Criminal Code. There is no carve-out for the exercise of fundamental human rights in a broad definition of what constitutes an act of terrorism. At the time of writing, a military junta was still ruling the country.
The Definition of Terrorism in Domestic Law
Article 574(1) of the Criminal Code defines an act of terrorism Is guilty of an act of terrorism and incurs criminal imprisonment at perpetuity, anyone who:
commits any act or threat of act, whatever its political, religious, or ideological motivation, perpetrated in violation of the criminal law, which is of a nature to endanger life, physical integrity, the freedoms of a person or a group of people, who causes or may cause damage to private or public property, to the national economy, natural resources, the environment or cultural heritage, when committed with intent, either:
- to intimidate, provoke a situation of terror, create a feeling of insecurity among the population, to force, exert pressure or bring the State, organization, institution, population or group thereof, to engage in any initiative or to abstain therefrom, or to adopt or renounce a particular position or to act according to certain principles;
- to disrupt the normal functioning of public services, the provision of essential services to populations including the information or communication system, the financial system, or transportation or to create a situation of crisis within the population;
- to create a general insurrection in the country.
A separate offence of bio-terrorism is set forth in the Criminal Code.
anyone ... who uses or threatens to use viruses, bacteria, fungi, toxins or any other micro-organisms for the purpose of causing illness or death of beings humans, animals or plants.Art. 575(1), Criminal Code of Guinea.
Adherence to Global and Regional Terrorism Treaties
Guinea is a State Party to most of the main United Nations treaties on terrorism.
| Treaty | Adherence |
|---|---|
| 1973 Convention on Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons | State Party |
| 1979 Hostage-Taking Convention | State Party |
| 1997 Terrorist Bombings Convention | State Party |
| 1999 Terrorist Financing Convention | State Party |
| 2005 Nuclear Terrorism Convention | Signatory |
Guinea is also a State Party to the main regional treaties on terrorism.
| Treaty | Adherence |
|---|---|
| 1999 Algiers Convention | State Party |
| 2004 Protocol to the Algiers Convention | State Party |
Laws and Penalties for Terrorist Offences
Article 574 of the Criminal Code prescribes life imprisonment for anyone convicted of a terrorist offence. A similar penalty is incurred for the offence of bio-terrorism.
Article 13 of the Code stipulates that the laws and penalties for terrorism apply also outside Guinean territory.
Counterterrorism Capacities and Policies at Domestic Level
A junta led by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya overthrew President Alpha Conde in September 2021, but has pledged to hand over power to civilian rule within two years.
The gendarmerie of Guinea, which are responsible for internal security, do not have a dedicated counterterrorism unit.
Glossary
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