Perceptions of justice and victims of crimes against humanity in Guinea

Abstract

Crimes against humanity in Guinea have caused many thousands of deaths, the exile of countless individuals, and the rape of hundreds of women. Since its independence in 1958, Guinea has been ruled by various authoritarian regimes and experienced periods of grave violence, most notably from 1958 to 1984, under the rule of Sékou Touré and, more recently, in 2009, under the rule of Moussa Dadis Camara. While some effort has been made to address these crimes, victims continue to demand justice. This raises the question: what does justice mean for victims of crimes against humanity in Guinea? In this paper, we examine the meaning of justice for 31 Guinean victims of crimes against humanity. Using justice theory as a framework, we examine the perceptions and experiences of these victims regarding justice to promote reconciliation and lasting peace.