STATEMENT ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY ON GUINEA

As announced on 16 October, the Secretary-General has decided to establish an international Commission of Inquiry to investigate the facts and circumstances of the events of 28 September 2009 and related events in their immediate aftermath in Conakry, Republic of Guinea.

The international Commission will comprise three members: Mr. Mohamed Bedjaoui of Algeria, as Chairman; Ms. Françoise Ngendahyo Kayiramirwa of Burundi and Ms. Pramila Patten of Mauritius.

Mr. Bedjaoui is an Algerian diplomat and jurist. He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and as Algeria's Ambassador to France and the United Nations, among other postings. He has also served as a Judge on the International Court of Justice and as President of Algeria's highest judicial authority, the Constitutional Council.

Ms. Kayiramirwa is a former Minister of National Solidarity, Human Rights and Gender and former Minister for Repatriation, Reintegration of Repatriates and Internally Displaced People. She has also served with the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda as Adviser on gender issues and assistance to victims.

Ms. Patten is a member of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. She has published extensively in the area of violence against women and the rights of children. She is a barrister at law.

The three members of the Commission are expected to travel shortly to New York to meet with the Secretary-General, and will then travel to Geneva and Guinea to carry out their work. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights will provide support to the Commission.