Guinea Solidarity: Sample Letter

Back to the article: “Crisis in Guinea: Solidarity and Awareness Needed”

Sample Letter, courtesy of the Guinea Solidarité group on Facebook:

Dear Congressman X,

Last Monday, September 28, 2009 in the West African country of Guinea, over 150 unarmed people were brutally killed and more than 1200 injured by the military. The peaceful demonstators had gathered to protest the possible presidential candidacy of the military junta’s leader, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara. Captain Camara had seized power in Guinea some 9 months ago in a bloodless coup following the death of Guinea’s previous president and military leader Lansana Conte. The stories of the senseless violence against the demonstrators are shocking. The population was met by a merciless attack by the military who fired live ammunition into the crowd, beat people with batons, and viciously raped women and girls in the streets.

I have been heartened by the strong statements from the Secretary General of the United Nations, from the Security Council, from the European Union, Organization of African Unity, and from numerous other governments and human rights organizations around the world.

I sincerely hope that my government will take a strong stand against such brutal tyranny and wanton violence. While Guinea has traditionally been a relatively peaceful country, 51 years of dictatorship and gross mismanagement of government since independence has led to an unsupportable situation.

I urge the United States government to take a strong stand against such brutal tyranny insisting that fair and democratic elections be held in the near future without military candidates from the junta and that those responsible for last week’s heinous crimes against humanity, be brought to justice.

Only pressure from the international community will be able to stave off this country’s sinking into chaos.

I appreciate your consideration, and hopefully, action on this pressing matter.

Sincerely,

Your Name

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