Guinea-Bissau
In Guinea-Bissau, the human rights situation in early 2026 is recovering from a severe period of instability. The country is currently in a "restorative transition" following a military coup on November 26, 2025, which overthrew President Umaro Sissoco Embaló.
While the new military-led transitional government has begun de-escalating tensions under ECOWAS pressure, the legacy of political violence and the suspension of constitutional order continue to cast a shadow over civil liberties.
1. Post-Coup Political Rights and De-escalation
Following the 2025 coup, Guinea-Bissau entered a one-year transitional period led by General Horta Inta-A.
Release of Political Prisoners: In late January and early February 2026, the military authorities released high-profile opposition figures, including former Prime Minister Domingos Simões Pereira, who had been held since the coup.
Inclusive Transition: Under a February 2026 agreement brokered by ECOWAS, the military has pledged to form an "inclusive" government. This includes allocating ministerial portfolios to major opposition parties (PAIGC and Fernando Dias Da Costa’s group) and establishing a National Transitional Council (CNT) as a temporary legislature.
Suspended Elections: The 2025 presidential and parliamentary elections were suspended during the coup. The current focus is on a 2026 roadmap to restore constitutional order, though the military’s influence remains the dominant political force.
2. Freedom of Expression and "The Charter of Silence"
The media environment has significantly deteriorated since the military takeover, characterized by what Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls a "system of control."
Prohibition of Press Conferences: In January 2026, the High Military Command issued a decree expressly prohibiting unauthorized press conferences or public statements deemed to "jeopardize peace." Journalists who violate this face "severe reprimand."
Self-Censorship: Journalists report a growing climate of fear and self-censorship. While private media outlets were initially shut down during the 2025 coup, they have since reopened but operate under "veiled threats" and military monitoring.
State Media Dominance: During the transition, state-owned broadcasters have been prioritized for access to official ceremonies, effectively marginalizing independent and international press.
3. Justice System and Arbitrary Detentions
The judiciary in Guinea-Bissau has long struggled with political interference, a problem that has intensified under military rule.
Arbitrary Arrests: The UN Human Rights Chief expressed alarm in late 2025 over the arbitrary detention of government officers and magistrates following the coup. Many were held incommunicado for weeks before the recent wave of releases in early 2026.
Torture Allegations: Reports from human rights groups in 2025 indicated that protesters and political detainees were subjected to physical abuse and torture while in custody.
Judicial Impunity: Corruption and the influence of organized crime—particularly drug trafficking—continue to undermine the rule of law. Convictions for high-level corruption or abuses by security forces are virtually non-existent.
4. Vulnerable Groups and Social Rights
Women’s Rights: Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a widespread issue with low rates of prosecution. Despite a 2011 law banning Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), the practice remains prevalent in rural areas, and enforcement is hampered by a lack of judicial resources.
LGBTQ+ Rights: Unlike many of its neighbors, Guinea-Bissau decriminalized same-sex acts in 1993. However, there are no legal protections against discrimination or hate crimes. Same-sex marriage is constitutionally banned, and legal gender recognition for transgender individuals is not available as of 2026.
Economic Exploitation: Child labor persists, particularly in the cashew sector and in "forced begging" involving children in religious schools.