Sections
DONATE
SUPPORT WWW.JOLLOFNEWS.COM
Account Login
Gambian journalist detained in Israel
Sunday, 22 August 2010 10:27
IFJ Calls for his release The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Friday warned that the continuing crisis for independent journalism in Gambia adds to the uncertainty facing one of the country's journalists who is presently detained in Israel.
The IFJ in a statement called on Israel immigration authorities to urgently review the detention order against Bubacar Ceesay, who filed for asylum on entering the country, last year, without travel documents. Ceesay has since been in detention.
"The brutal repression of journalists in The Gambia is well documented and includes a travel ban," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. "This journalist has experienced enough suffering and the uncertainty over his future adds to his fears. His case merits special consideration on humanitarian grounds."
Bubacar Ceesay, according to the IFJ report, claimed he was arrested and tortured in Gambia after he published a story on corruption in the Independent newspaper. He arrived in Israel on fleeing Gambia only to be detained by the Israeli authorities when he failed to provide a passport or any identity documents.
Ceesay, the IFJ said, is being supported in his fight against his continued detention by the National Federation of Israeli Journalists (NFIJ), an affiliate of the global journalist body. In May, a court in Tel Aviv ordered his release pending a decision on his application for refugee status but last week immigration authorities won an appeal against the decision and Ceesay was taken back to prison.
The IFJ says Gambia's terrible record on press freedom includes evidence of abductions, illegal detention and impunity in the killing of journalists. A prominent journalist, Deyda Hydara, founder and editor in chief of the newspaper The Point was killed in 2004, allegedly by the country's secret services. His murder remains unresolved. Last year, President Yahya Jammeh reacted to calls for justice for Deyda Hydara by threatening to kill journalists who defy his rule.
Seven journalists' leaders were arrested and charged with sedition and defamation in June. Six of them were sentenced to a two year jail term before their release by presidential pardon in August, following a global campaign by trade unions, human rights and press freedom organizations led by the IFJ and the Gambian Press Union (GPU).
Meanwhile, the court of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) has ordered Gambia to release Chief Ebrima Manneh, a reporter with the Daily Observer, who disappeared in 2006.
"The Gambian regime's record on press freedom should be enough to provide prima facie evidence of why journalists seek protection abroad," said Mr White, who commended “the solidarity shown by our Israeli colleagues in this case and urge the authorities to release the journalist and offer him protection."
Jollofnews Poll
Who do you think should be the next President of The Gambia?
Follow us on Twitter
-
Doctor Who star runs with torchDoctor Who star Matt Smith, former Wales rugby captain Matthew Rees and world hurdles champion...
-
Lesotho holds tense electionMASERU (Reuters) - Voters in the highland African kingdom of Lesotho went to the polls...
-
Bristol Rovers Speed Merchant Could Be Racing To Posh(GamSports) – Peterborough United are thought to be one of a number of Championship sides...