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24 British MPs sign EDM condemning rights abuses in Gambia
Thursday, 23 December 2010 15:54
Motion calls for increased pressure on JammehBy JollofNews Staff Writer
Twenty Four British MPs have signed a House of Commons Early Day Motion (EDM1140) which condemns the state of human rights abuse in Gambia and calls on the UK Coalition government to do everything it can to place international pressure on President Yahya Jammeh’s government in support of fundamental human rights.
Tabled by Labour Party MP Anas Sarwar, the EDM applauds members of the Gambian Human Rights Campaign in Scotland, who have been behind a sustained campaign against abuses in Gambia, for their continued effort in raising awareness on this tremendously important issue.
The motion express solidarity with the people of the Gambia in lights of the reported human rights abuses they are subjected to. It further notes that according to independent reports by Amnesty International the alleged abuses includes arbitrary arrests, torture, incommunicado detention, unfair trials, rape, disappearance and extra-judicial executions.
The campaign to secure the British Parliamentary opposition to the human rights situation in Gambia has been assisted by the Campaign for human rights in the Gambia UK through its Campaign Officer, Gambian journalist Alieu B. Ceesay. This is the second Early Day Motion the organization has secured in UK, the first been one from the Scottish Parliament. This latest one was supported by British MPs who are in charge of Foreign affairs.
The sponsor of the parliamentary motion Anas Sarwar, who sits on the Commons International Development Select Committee, expressed "grave concerns” about human rights abuses in Gambia, and said he was pleased to facilitate a meeting with the Foreign Office, All Party Parliamentary Group on Human Rights and representatives of the Scottish Campaign for Human Rights in The Gambia.
"The Scottish Campaign for Human Rights in Gambia is doing a great work to draw attention to a government that rules by intimidation, torture and killing. It’s crucial that the coalition does everything it can to place international pressure on the Gambian government. So I am pleased that EDM 1140 has attracted cross party support from 24 MPs," Sarwar said.
He added: "It’s important that brave campaigners like Alieu are given a voice in Parliament that is why I have asked parliamentary questions about challenges facing Gambian citizens in their country and abroad. I am fully behind the campaign for human rights in Gambia and I will continue to press the coalition government.”
Plaid Cymrus Elfyn Llwyd, MP from Wales described the human rights situation in Gambia as “horrendous”, and stressed that it required vital international attention.
"Opponents of the Gambia government are routinely arrested and held without charge, while a culture of enforced disappearances, unfair trials and horrific infringements on human rights reigns in this troubled country," he said. "But more must be done and urgently,” Llwyd said, adding that the UK government “must make this a priority in working with the international community to ensure the Gambian government meets its human rights obligations, and to bring an end to the wave of terror that has swept the people of that country.”
Alieu B. Ceesay, Campaign Officer of the (SCHRG), for his part, expressed hope that "this parliamentary motion will send a strong signal from the British Parliament to the Gambia government that arbitrary arrests, torture, incommicado detention and exra-judicial executions are serious violations of human rights.”
The Gambian people’s rights under the country’s constitution and under International law must be respected, he said.
A copy of the Early Day Motion will be forwarded to the Gambia High Commission in London, which all adds up to the pressure and to let Gambia government know that public opinion is been mobilized in defense of fundamental human rights, Ceesay said.
The campaign is greatful to Anas Sarwar for standing up for human rights in Gambia and all those MPs who have signed this EDM, said Arthur West, Chairman Campaign for Human Rights in Gambia UK.
"We welcome the cross party support at the House of Commons. I am pleased that this motion is rapidly attracting support from MPs of all parties, as it shows that these are important issues of human rights and we must speak up and mobilize opinions in the UK against these abuses," he said.
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Comments
Since you have not come back to clarify your comment,I will leave that particular issue as it was.
However,I hope your 'Nazi lie technique' is not implying that all the incidents I mentioned never took place,but that if told quite often,it might seem to be true.
Its only you who can shed light on your comment.
It works like this..
If the British government is the custodian of the peoples democratic rights and aspirations..then the member's of Parlaiment....are to considered only as its instruments.
I have a profound respect for my own Lib Dem..MP
He has either passed on my letters to government..or he has written on my behalf.
On every occaision I have recieved a written reply.
Those replies on occaision have fallen well short of my expectations.
Nevertheless...we have made some good progress. I do not hold him responsible for the "indifference" of some his "betters".
But then as the Rolling Stones put it?
U can't always get wot u want...but u can try sometime and u may just find...
U get wot u need?
I share your respect for Ed Miliband and Labour peer Baroness Kinnock.
" I get by with a little help from my friends".
Thankyou Mr Bax.
Thats what makes Britain a rich multi-cultural society,where everyone has the chance to achieve their dreams,if they strive hard enough.
Unfortunately,m ost don't grab the opportunity and blame everyone except themselves.
Keep up the good work.
However, If any offence was inferred...it was not intended.
I am not too proud or insincere to appologise for any confusion caused.
I have many "confidential" letters here..from both governments.
One says.....
"Michael Scales has singlehandedly raised The Gambia within Parliament into areas that it was previously not considered".
I have lobbied the British government on many issues....from Chief Manneh to the GPU 6....and more recently on the death of Kora Ceesay and the case of Journalist..Mr Bojang.
I do know that we continue to engage The Gambian government on these issues.
But we also must not penalise commonwealth members..seeking the right to live and work here in the UK. Neither should we strip them totally of there original identity.
But really...you should know me by now and what I stand for.,,as I have read what you have said ...now for many many months.
I have always respected your contributions.
As the Gambian say's..."I know you and you know me"?
I think I can see why this apparent "conflict" has arisen.?
I purposly referred to a Pakistani and a Scottish and an English...to show clearly....that the United Kingdom encompases a tolerent and multicultural society..that respects the right to the choice of religion, creed ,
politics, race and lifestyle.
Perhaps, it is your own insecurity that allows you to challenge my use of the original country of origin of this particular and elected Scottish Member of Parliament?
I have not flagged up his position...neither would I deflower the choice and ambition he has engaged with great success.
If you could remember few months ago when you and Singhateh were refer to as Wazungu, I advised all and sundry to stop. Because to me I still see you as part of the Gambia, because I genuinely believe you have our country at heart.
mafuji is not the only one expecting an explanation for your reference to the Pakistani MP; as a matter of fact, I am, too. And you clearly haven't done enough to exoplain what you meant by that refenrece.
The only thing one can deduce from your statement as at now is that being an immigrant, and from Pakistan at that, he can not make a change as regard the situation at hand. Is that your point? If so why do you think so?
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