The ETUC condemns the crack-down on the strike called by the Guinean trade unions

Brussels, 23/01/2007

Joël Decaillon, Confederal Secretary of the ETUC, representing the European trade union movement in Nairobi, reaffirmed its solidarity with the Guinean unions and people, and added that this terrible example reinforces the need to assert respect for fundamental rights and the principle of democracy across the African continent.

The European Union (EU) and the German Presidency of the EU must act as swiftly as possible to put a stop to this escalation and to ensure respect for the law in Guinea and across the continent.

The European Union and its Member States are particularly closely involved in supporting development in Guinea, and they can help to stop this dreadful spiral.

The ETUC calls on its members to voice their solidarity and take initiatives vis-à-vis their governments and the Guinean government to secure the release of the trade unionists who have been jailed.