France has called for swift action from the UN Security Council to prosecute those responsible for crimes committed by Guinea's military junta.

Earlier this week, the UN published a report on the massacre at the end of September of opposition protestors by Guinean troops. The 60-page UN report said the killings of the opposition members amounted to "crimes against humanity". Guinean troops opened fire on anti-government demonstrators in the capital Conakry; at least 156 people were killed or are still missing.

The report also says that at least 109 women were "raped or subject to other sexual violence including sexual mutilation and sexual slavery". The UN says Guinean soldiers were responsible for the violence and the country's military leaders and their ultimate responsibility. The massacre and the rapes drew international condemnation.
 

After a closed-door hearing, France's deputy ambassador to the United Nations, Nicolas de Riviere told journalists that the case had to be referred to the International Criminal Court, "impunity cannot be an option," he said.

Guinea's military rulers have postponed elections and claimed to be working towards national reconciliation. The military seized power in a coup a year ago. On 3 December, the head of the military government, Captain Muussa Dadis Camara was shot in the head by an aide. Captain Commander is still in hospital in Morocco and it is not clear when he will return.