GUINEA-BISSAU
CONFIDENTIAL
Report by HM Embassy,
Dakar
General observations
The situation in Guinea-Bissau is about average for an African one-party state, and rather good for a heavily marxist one-party state. It is a little early to estimate trends but we would put the trend as progressively liberal.
Right No.
Rating suggested
(i)
(ii)
Imprisonment without trial certainly exists (eg Rafael Barboza, a former leader of the PAIGC was brought to trial this year after a long period in detention).
There is no evidence of torture. The people are very humane, and there is no evidence that government has lower standards.
by Post
6
(iii)
There is no slavery.
(iv)
All information is controlled, and foreign papers cannot be freely bought. So far the government paper is quite informative and self-critical.
7
(v)
Justice is by popular tribunals and is probably pretty rough.
7
(vi)
**
There is virtually no unionised sector in the economy. But what unions there are, are tightly controlled.
7
(vii)
Emigration is strictly controlled.
8
CONFIDENTIAL