Gambia Urged To Investigate Journalist’s Death

Friday, 14 December 2012 11:23

(JollofNews) – Journalists in the Gambia have challenged the Government of Yahya Jammeh to launch an urgent investigation into the death of their colleague, Deyda Hydra.

Mr Hydara who was 58, and managing editor of The Point Newspaper, was killed on December 16, 2004 in a drive-by shooting. No one has since been arrested or charged with his murder.

In a statement marking the eighth anniversary of his assassination, the Gambia Press Union (GPU) said the failure of the Jammeh regime to bring the perpetrators to book will only entrench a culture of impunity in the country, which is inimical to democracy.

The press union added: “Given the fact that the Gambia Government has several progressive allies in the world, we recommend that the Government should solicit support from the international community to enable her to unearth the truth.Slain Gambian journalist, Deyda Hydra (Photo/ The Point)

“It should be noted that journalists like all other sectors and professionals are legitimate and have a right to contribute their quota to national development. We serve a crucial role not only in bringing the state closer to the citizenry, but also in promoting the creation of an open society where democracy and good governance flourish.”

The union argued that it is the constitutional responsibility of the Jammeh regime to protect the right to life of all Gambians and  it should move heaven and earth to bringing Hydara’s killers to book as this barbaric act has no place in a civilised democratic society.

It added: “The murder of Deyda is a fundamental human rights violation that goes against the very essence of our constitution and all regional and international instruments that the Gambia has ratified. These include the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, hence the responsibility to ensure justice prevails and the protection of human rights in our society lies squarely in the hands of the Government.”
Written by PK Jarju