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More Attention to Gambia Human Rights Abuses
Friday, 26 August 2011 15:42
Gambia was the subject of a round table discussion at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office this week.
Instigated by Labour MP Anas Sarwar at the request of the Glasgow based Campaign for Human Rights in the Gambia, it saw journalists, campaigners, civil servants and politicians share knowledge of the current state of life in that sunny, West African country.Among the concerns voiced were the lack of independence in the judiciary, the disappearance of working journalist Ebrima Manneh in 2006, the murder of
newspaper publisher Deyda Hydara in 2004, the blocking of some websites critical to the present regime and the scewered dissemination of information.The major issue of the election in November was also raised. Opinions expressed included: – registration of voters was a farce. Opposition parties were hobbled by rules which permit them to promote their cause only ten days before the election date. Concern was expressed that Femi Peters, campaign manager for the United Democratic Party (UDP), an opposition party to President Jammeh, was recently sentenced to one year hard labour for holding a public rally without permission; and that Kanyiba Kanyia, a supporter of the UDP disappeared in 2006.
It was acknowledged that President Jammeh was likely to win the election which would reinforce his position since his coup in 1994.
Said one participant: ‘There are no quick fixes.’
But through the European Union, pressure is being brought to bear on the Gambian Government to adhere to international laws on human rights and freedom of speech that the country has signed up to.
In Glasgow, Gambian exiled journalist, Alieu B. Ceesay, told this website: ‘This was a very successful meeting. It gave the Campaign for Human Rights in the Gambia and other organisations, a forum to engage with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office about the situation in The Gambia. We hope to build on that momentum to continue to engage with the international community to prioritise the Gambia situation. More must be done urgently to address the wave of terror that has swept that country in the last 16 years.’
The Campaign recently held a rally in Glasgow City Centre to mark Freedom Day in the Gambia. Among the speakers was Labour MP Anas Sarwar for Glasgow Central who initiated meetings with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Patrick Harvie, Green Party MSP in Glasgow who has gained cross party support in the Scottish Parliament for human rights in the Gambia; Kate Temple of Amnesty International whose organisation has published an update to their report on ‘Climate of Fear’ in the Gambia which details enforced disappearances, killings and torture of journalists, politicians and anyone who displeases the regime; and Austin Sheridan an elected Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament who said his Party, SNP, had united with the others on the human rights issue in the Gambia and would fight ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with people there. The Campaign is also strongly supported by the National Union of Journalists which is working through the STUC and the TUC to encourage other unions to do the same.
Source: Localnewsglasgow.co.uk
">Watch a video of the rally here
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Comments
In the service of the truth I remain
Infact,this could be a good opportunity to open the gates of Mile 2 and re unite families with their loved ones, especially those dozens and dozens of men picked up after all those alleged coups and hastily paraded in front of kangaroo courts and convicted on the flimsy evidence of dubious witnesses.
IT IS MOSTLY PEOPLE WHO EASILY TAKE THE LIVES AND FREEDOM OF OTHERS THAT ARE MOST SCARED TO LOOSE THEIR OWN. GADDAFI TODAY IS RUNNING SCARED LIKE A CHICKEN, TO SAVE HIS OWN SKIN.....
The Gambia does not need this kind of International attention.
We have confused young children who cannot grow up with their fathers today because we have an intolerant brute who looks more a silver backed gorilla from the misty hills of the Congo, incapable of fitting into civilized society and adapting to the civilized norms of that society.
Mr.John,why not say it this way,Gambians in the diaspora are well educated but neither ready nor willing to help or contribute to national development.As soon as Yahya has achieved his vision 2020 dreams like Martin Luther King,Gambians in the diaspora will realize that they were on the wrong side.A man of peace,good conduct and respect is all the Gambian people ever wanted and once we are blessed with it,the sky is the limit.
If Yaya does not change and learn to treat Gambians with the respect they deserve,what awaits Gaddafi would seem like child's play compared to what could happen to him.
Just like Libya, Gambians in the diaspora are well educated, ready and willing to help contribute to national development as soon as Yaya Jammeh has passed into the dustbin of history, just as hurricanes like Idi Amin and his type have been consigned.
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