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British Trade Unions to discuss Gambia's human rights situation
Monday, 28 March 2011 22:54
Motion notes catalogue of human rights abuses in The GambiaTrade Unions in the United Kindom are expected to discuss a motion on Gambias human rights situation as part of international issues at the 114TH annual congress of the Scottish Trade Union Congress from monday 18th to 20 April.The congress shedule to take place in Ayr Racecourse will provide delegates the opportunity to discuss Gambias human rights situation and express solidarity with the people of the Gambia in lights of the reported human rights abuses been comitted in their country.
The congress will attract over 330 Trade Union delegates representing 37 trade unions,24 trade union council as well as number of international guests and speakers from the world of politics.
The camapign to secure Trade Unions opposition to human rights abuses in The Gambia has been facilitated by the Campaign for Human Rights in The Gambia through its Campaign Officer Alieu Badara Ceesay exile Gambian journalist.He said the campaign will continue to work hand in glove with Trade Unions with a view to mobilise public opinion in the UK in support of the Gambian people.
The Motion on Gambia(M102) supported by Kilmanock and Loudoun Trade Union Council notes that Amnesty International has produced a report into the human rights situation in The Gambia.AI have noted in the report that unlawful arrests and detentions take place routinely in The Gambia.AI has also noted in the report that when people fall into government custody,they are routinely subjected to further human rights violations,unfair trials or enforced disappearance.AI also notes in the report that all public protests in The Gambia have ceased.AI also indicated in the report that journalists and people who work within the legal system are often subjected to threats and intimidations.
The motion tabled by (CHRG-UK) said "In light of the very serious human rights situation in The Gambia,Trade Union Congress welcomes the formation of the Campaign for Human Rights in The Gambia following a successful public meeting held in the Scottish Trade Union Congress building in september 2010"
"Congress agrees that information about the camapign should be distributed to all affiliates with a view to maximising support and subscriptions to the Gambia Campaign from accross the Trade Union Movement".
Arthur West Chairman of CHRG and Secretary General of Kilmanock and Loudoun TUC said today"This is landmark Trade Unions have added their voice to the growing number of calls for human rights in The Gambia which all adds up to the pressure on the Gambia government in defence of human rights and civil liberty"
The Scottish Trade Union Congress represents over 640,000 trade unionists,the members of 37 affiliates trade unions,and 22 trade union councils,cordinates,develop and articulate the views and policies of trade union movements in Scotland and,through the creation of real social partnership,to promote trade unionism,equal and social justice,the creation and maintenance of high quality job,and the public sector delivery of services.
Furthur reading www.stuc.org.uk
www.gambiacampaign.org
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Comments
Yes thanks for agreeing to disagree and vise versa.
Yes Jammeh has bowed down to the will of the Gambian people NOT to pressure from outside. Whether you call it bowing down, as long as it is to the Gambian people, that is what he should do. Now remember Jammeh in his own words:
"I am accountable ONLY to God and to the Gambian people..."
With this I rest my case!
And I think you & I have 'agreed' to disagree on the issues raised,so perhaps,we should allow our followers to make up their minds.
But.....You wrote... 'thus Gambia is no longer a country that bows down to bullies,thanks to Jammeh'.
Really? Ofcourse,Gambia has never & may never bow down to others(bullies or not...after '65) but Jammeh certainly has bowed down before.
So lets joggle your memory a bit.
JOGGLER NO.1: Remember Jammeh's 1st TRANSITION ANNOUNCEMENT? He planned to stay for FOUR YEARS as MILITARY RULER. National & International pressure forced him to BOW DOWN & settle for TWO YEARS.
Joggler NO.2: Remember the JULY 22nd movement & their NO ELECTION AGENDA. Don't tell me Jammeh wasn't behind it. He,again,BOWED DOWN because of pressure.
So, we Gambians have nothing to THANK JAMMEH FOR in that respect.
4. Bro, Ceesay's campaign is that of a demagogue. The way he is portraying Gambia is not the reality on the ground. We all know that, no matter how some will deliberately ignore that fact. All is not like paradise in Gambia, like all places but Ceesay and a few other's picture is the wrong one.
Lastly, Ceesay and others' are pursuing their agenda by using groups like UK MPs and trade unions and etc, the point is those groups are irrelevant in Gambia, they have their own electorate to serve.. thus Gambia is no longer a country that bows down to bullies, thanks to Jammeh.
1. For ME, the UK trade unions are irrelevant on Gambian affairs, especially under. If YOU belief otherwise... well I will say it depends on who you talk to.
2 & 3. National interest, you are RIGHT! This is the MAIN reason UK is cutting aid to Gambia, not otherwise. If u can't recall, revisit the reasons given by UK for cutting aid ton some nations. BTW, for Gambia, it's a blessing in disguise.
And, by the way,your contribution is very refreshing.
I'm sure ED will not forget the Unions.
Thanks
When you consider The Miners strike lead by Arthur Scargil against Margaret Thatcher...
Both sides used intimidation.
Scargil..used the "flying picket"
and Thatcher used legalised brutality by the police.
The breaking of the unions had some good effects and some bad.
The greatest treachery that Blair is guilty of...was not Iraq or Education...
It was the fact that The Labour government under Blair did not re-assert/establish the unions power.
Ed Milliband...owes his leadership of the Labour Party to the Unions...Not Labour MP's....or the constitutional Labour Party.
No doubt when Ed becomes Prime Minister, he will not forget the Unions.
..and Yes...The Unions could be important strategic partners for The Gambia.
Fourthly,you asked whether The Gambia should bow down to the UK because 'nobodies' like Mr Ceesay,are pursuing their OWN AGENDA.
I don't believe that Mr Ceesay is a 'nobody'. He is increasing becoming a noticeable & active campaigner for Gambian issues; And I don't believe,either, that he stands to gain personally from his actions unless you know something that I don't.
Furthermore,I do not understand how you equate the call, by Mr Ceesay & many others(gambians included) for the Jammeh administration to grant greater freedom to Gambians,as bowing down to the uk. Please explain that to me.
Firstly,lets remind ourselves that the point of discussion is not whether the UK uses its influence fairly or not when dealing with other nations,but rather,whether the motion by UK Trade Unions on The Gambia has any relevance to Gambian matters. So lets put the rightful/wrongful use of uk influence in global affairs aside.
Secondly,I re-emphasise,since you haven't refuted it,that there are no 'REAL PARTNERS' in international development between the developed & developing nations. Every nation (including Gambia) is motivated by its national interest. And there is no better example than The Gambia-Iran case.
Thirdly,you think am either 'naive or ignoring the facts' by stating that the AID cut to The Gambia is more to do with the state of affairs at home than UK's economic difficulties, but you wouldn't elaborate.
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