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ITUC/Africa Petitions Jammeh on Journalists' Plight
Thursday, 11 August 2011 15:44
(JollofNews) - The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) on
Monday, issued a protest letter to the Gambian leader condemning the indictment against exiled Gambian journalists. The journalists are Ndey Tapha Sosseh, Mathew K. Jallow and Famara Demba. Along with four others, they have been charged with four counts under a treason and sedition law that carries a maximum sentence of death following accusations that they planned to overthrow the government of The Gambia.“News reaching us states that Ndey Tapha Sosseh, FAJ treasurer also former President of the Gambian Press Union (GPU) has been charged with treason and sedition by the State prosecutor’s office. It is alleged that Sosseh along with three other people including, Matthew K Jallow, Famara Demba and the already detained former Minister, Amadou Scattered Janneh, sometime in May, conspired to overthrow the Government of The Gambia by unlawful means and thereby committed an offense.” The latter stated.
The Pan-African trade union organisation that has over 16 million declared members from 90 affiliated trade unions went further to state that the indictment aims at “suppressing the rights of journalists” and has “exceeded its limit”. The missive also asks why journalists are being intimidated for only expressing their views on civic, political and human rights issues.
“The ITUC - Africa strongly condemns these false accusations against Journalists in The Gambia as these charges are without bases. The incumbent Gambian government must demonstrate capacity to entertain dissent and be broad minded to accommodate constructive criticism. It is strongly advised to refrain from jumping at conclusions that persons holding different views and opinions are enemies of the State;'' the letter concluded.
The tiny West Afrcan nation has been on the spotlight since State prosecutors charged the exiled former Gambian Press Union leader in absentia, alongside a Gambian journalist, writer and Human Rights Activist Mathew K Jallow and Famara Demba.
Written by Abdoulie John
Read ITUC/Africa Petitions to Jammeh in full, courtesy of CCG
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Comments
One must ask the question;
Do such high profile cases against journalists and human rights activists serve the entire good fortune and good standing of The Gambian nation?
For if it is sedition to speak a different opinion or considered treason to express that opinion...then what persists is mass suppression and oppression of fundamental human rights of human expression.
That being the case....then the human brain...should be replaced by a micro chip.
Thereby creating a nation of robots powered by the absence of free thoughts and generous human re-actions.
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