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Glasgow stands for human rights in Gambia
Friday, 06 August 2010 00:59
Glasgow joined 19 cities throughout the world on Thursday 22 July to highlight the harrowing human rights abuses in the
Gambia at a rally in the city's famous George Square. The event, launched worldwide, was an effort to make Glaswegians and other countries aware of the human rights abuses taking place in the GambiaCoordinated by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International and lead by Gambian born journalist Alieu Badara Ceesay, through the National Union of Journalists, the rally heard from Labour MP for Glasgow Central, Anas Sarwar. He said “I am pressing the Westminster government to address the human rights situation in The Gambia. And I am fully behind the Gambian journalists and their supporters who demonstrate in Glasgow today. I offered my support to exile Gambian journalists and their supporters who are campaigning against human rights abuses in the Gambia”.
He added “The demonstration in Glasgow today will be one of several rallies held throughout the world as part of Amnesty Internationals campaign to end intimidation of the media in the Gambia particularly to highlight the case of journalist Ebrima Manneh who has been missing since July 2006 when he was allegedly arrested by government security officers”.
Hon Sarwar who is a member of the influential International Development Select committee said that the previous government began a programme in The Gambia aim at empowering civil society organizations. “Its crucial that the new government in Westminster look at the continuation of strengthening civil societies through DFID in the Gambia so that journalists can do their work without fear of reprisal, he said, adding, “I intend to press the government further in the coming months”.
In his message of support to the Gambia Day of Action, Robert Brown, Liberal Democrat Member of Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Glasgow Region said: “Human rights affected everyone. A government which rule by fear, intimidation, threats, torture and harassment has no place in a democracy. People in the Gambia deserve a free press and to live in a plural society with open debate and freedom of expression”.
He continued: “I hope that the pressure from the International Community, alongside the brave efforts of those within Gambia, and international organizations such as Amnesty International and the NUJ will lead to change and a future tolerance of political and social opposition”.
Anne McLaughlin, Scottish National Party (MSP) for Glasgow, in her message of support commented: “Hearing about the need for Gambia Day of Action and been personally involved in human rights struggles at the moment has caused me to reflect on what kind of world we live in. However we should never underestimate the importance of simply standing together in solidarity - it lets people know we care, it gives people at the center of this struggle the fuel they need to carry on fighting the fight”.
Speaking at the rally, the president of the National Union of Journalists, Peter Murray, said the NUJ is proud to support the campaign for press freedom and human rights in The Gambia. “We believe naturally as journalists an open society is a better society, the rule of law is better than the rule of fear and the media is part of that,” he stated.
He added: “we are not fighting for freedom of the media because journalists are special but when we see the torture, detention, killing, threats and exile of journalists for doing their job then we believe as National Union of Journalists in the UK it’s a cause we should take up and defend their rights”.
Austin Sheridan, Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Glasgow Govan, said The struggle for human rights in The Gambia should be sustained to raise more awareness about the situation and get more decision makers involved. “Back in 2009 the NUJ organized a protest when seven Gambian journalists were arrested, which for me was a real experience. I would have never known the problems faced by the Gambian people if I had not attended that protest”.
He added: “I also commend the work that all politicians are doing from different political parties to ensure that the Gambian situation is given a priority. I will continue my support for this course and I congratulate Alieu Ceesay for campaigning for the human rights of Gambians.
Arthur West, Chairperson of Amnesty International in Ayrshire, said: I am delighted Amnesty International has taken a position about the situation in The Gambia and have taken it as priority issue. As we have heard the human rights situation in the Gambia is tragic and very worrying.
He applauded Amnesty International for awarding the missing Gambian journalists, Ebrima Manneh, who is a victim of enforced disappearance. “It’s important we continue to campaign against the human rights abuses in The Gambia,” he said.
He revealed that a motion about The Gambia human rights situation could be before the Scottish Trade Union Congress and a focus on the issue could be made by trade unions in Scotland.
John Mathews, Chairperson National Union of Journalists Glasgow Branch, said that the National Union of Journalist was aware of the difficulties that the media and journalists are facing in the Gambia and that the union will continue to fight the cause of journalist in that country.
Exiled Gambian Journalist, Alieu Badara Ceesay, spoke at length about the daily arrests of citizens, torture, intimidation, enforced disappearance, curtailment of civil liberty, and the compromised judiciary. “This is the difficult situation The Gambian people are having to live with daily,” he said, calling on the international community to sanction and freeze assets of Gambian president and compel him to respect human rights.
Other speakers at the rally were Grace Franklin, Editor Local News Glasgow, and Jock Morris of the Glasgow Campaign.
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