Last October, the survivors of the Zogota massacre in Guinea took their case to the French courts. They are seeking recognition of a judgment handed down in their favour by the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) so that it can be enforced. The hearing will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, 28 August 2024, before the Paris Judicial Court.
On the night of 3 to 4 August 2012, Guinean state security forces opened fire on the inhabitants of the village of Zogota, located near an iron ore mine then controlled by Brazilian giant Vale and BSG Resource, a company owned by Franco-Israeli tycoon Beny Steinmetz. After complaints to the Guinean authorities went unheeded, the survivors filed a complaint before the ECOWAS Court of Justice which, in November 2020, ordered the Republic of Guinea to compensate the victims and beneficiaries of those killed during the massacre.
With the support of the organisations Les Mêmes Droits pour Tous (MDT), Advocates for Community Alternatives and Sherpa, the survivors of the Zogota massacre filed a petition before the French courts in October 2023 to have this judgment recognised.
If, after tomorrow’s hearing, the Paris Judicial Court accepts the recognition (“exequatur”) of the ECOWAS Court’s ruling, the survivors will be able to obtain its forced execution via the seizure of assets held by Guinea in France, like a French judgment.
More than twelve years after the massacre, they hope to obtain justice finally.
We have suffered greatly from this atrocity. All of us have lost close relatives, fathers, children and friends, and we have had no support from the Guinean authorities to date. We demand reparation for our losses and are counting on the French justice to deliver justice to the Zogota community
President of Zogota
“With regard to the Republic of Guinea’s refusal to comply with the decision of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, the exequatur procedure is appropriate, as it will enable the victims of this atrocity to have their rights restored,” said Foromo Frédéric Loua, MDT President.
This case could set an important precedent by recognising that French courts have an obligation to support the international human rights system and to enable the enforcement of decisions in favour of victims.
