Guinea: Intertribal marriages (especially between the Malinkes and the Peuhls) and perception of these marriages; protection offered by the state in the event that parents oppose an interethnic marriage

According to Country Reports 2003, ethnic identification is strong among Guineans (25 Feb. 2004, Sect. 5). That same report indicated that there are "relatively low levels of interethnic marriages" (Country Reports 2003 25 Feb. 2004, Sec. 5). However, it should be noted that two other sources consulted by the Research Directorate had different opinions.

During a 3 June 2004 telephone interview, a representative from the Embassy of Guinea in Ottawa provided the following information. Interethnic or intertribal marriages are common in Guinea. The representative indicated that, for example, he belonged to the Baga group, while his wife was Soussou. He also said that, in general, marriages take place between the Malinkes and the Peuhls without any problems. While mixed marriages are a source of conflict in some families, society generally tolerates them. The representative indicated that there are even many marriages between Christians and Muslims in Guinea.

The president of the Guinean Organization for Human Rights (Organisation guinéene pour la défense des droits de l'homme, OGDH) provided the following information during a 3 June 2004 telephone interview with the Research Directorate. Mixed marriages are currently quite common in Guinea. He corroborated the embassy representative's statement that mixed marriages do not usually cause serious problems, except in some families in which the man's or woman's parents oppose the marriage. Generally, problems arise when the couple is from different religions (Christianity and Islam) or social classes, rather than when they are from different ethnic groups. A couple that decides to get married despite family opposition risks being rejected by the family. Cases can even occur in which the upset family member becomes violent. The representative remembered a case a long time ago where a parent threatened to hit the future husband. The president pointed out that when a parent who opposes a mixed marriage uses threats or violence, the problem is usually resolved within the family and that the police do not become involved unless there are serious injuries. The president finished by saying that, in Guinea, more respect is given to customs than to the provisions of the penal code.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Embassy of Guinea, Ottawa. 3 June 2004. Telephone interview with a representative.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2003. 25 February 2004. United States Department of State, Washington, DC. [Accessed 2 June 2004]

Organisation guinéenne pour la défense des droits de l'homme (OGDH). 3 June 2004. Telephone interview with the president.

Additional Sources Consulted

Publications: Ethnic Groups Worldwide, Lonely Planet - West Africa, World Directory of Minorities

Internet sites, including: Amnesty International (AI), Boubah.com, European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI), Human Rights Watch (HRW), Jeune Afrique - L'Intelligent, World News Connection (WNC)