Human rights violations have been reported by different civil society entities in recent years. The situation deteriorated after the launch of a nationwide strike, led by the trade unions, in January 2007 to protest inflation, rising fuel prices,worsening standards of living for ordinary Guineans, corruption, embezzlement, and presidential interference in judicial matters. In clashes between security forces and protesters, over 100 people were killed and 1,700 were wounded. In February 2007, OHCHR and the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA) deployed a joint mission to Conakry to assess the human rights situation and discuss human rights priorities and needs with the UN Country Team and civil society.
In 2008, a senior human rights officer will be stationed in Conakry and will be responsible for assessing the country’s human rights needs and advising the UN Country Team and the heads of UN agencies on human rights strategies.