One of the organization's coordinators, Fernando Mandinga, reported today at a press conference the circumstances of the detention of about 70 members of the Frente Popular by the police, following the demonstration held on Saturday. The platform led by journalist and political activist Fernando Lona held a demonstration on Saturday throughout Guinea-Bissau and in some Guinean communities in the diaspora to denounce the regime in force in the country.

The platform includes trade unions, youth associations and women's organizations.

Fernando Mandinga noted that the police have detained about 70 people at the Bissau Second Police Station since Saturday, and have denied them visits from their families and lawyers.

In view of the situation, the Frente Popular questions the silence of various international community organizations.

"Hold the international community organizations based in Guinea-Bissau responsible, namely the African Union, ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), the United Nations, the European Union, the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries) as well as Amnesty International, for their silence", declared Fernando Mandinga at the press conference, while reading a statement from the organization.

The Frente Popular leader also denounced that some of the detainees were subjected to physical and psychological torture "in a vain and desperate attempt to stop the people's march for freedom and dignity".

In view of this situation, the organization urged the country's active forces, namely community and religious leaders and civil society organizations that "have avoided taking public positions" to position themselves "in defense of freedom and democracy".

The same appeal was made to the Defense and Security Forces to assume their responsibility in defense of peace and democratic constitutional legality in the country.

The platform also demanded from the "Government of presidential initiative", through the Ministry of the Interior, "the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners".

The Frente Popular also appealed to the Guinean population to remain firm, in Guinea-Bissau and in the diaspora, "for a fair life in defense of the values of the republic and democracy".

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