PRESS RELEASE: NAFEO: Campaign on the human rights situation in the Gambia.

Human Rights Violations in the Gambia, a group formed within the Network of African Freedom of Expression Organisations (NAFEO), during the 44th ordinary session of African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR), has in a nine-point resolution, called on the African Commission to ensure that the violation of freedom of expression and arbitrary use of repressive media laws under the leadership of President Yahya Jammeh are stopped in the Gambia.

The group also called on the Commission to investigate reported cases of human rights violations in the Gambia and bring an immediate end to the threats, torture and intimidation of journalists. They called for the unconditional release of all victims of enforced disappearances – including Chief Ebrima Manneh and Kanyie Kaniba who have been unlawfully detained for more than two years.

The Gambian government’s continuous use of unlawful arrests and detention, torture while in detention, unfair trials, poor conditions of detention, extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances  without access to a fair trial, denial of freedom of the press and expression contravenes national, regional and international laws. 

In June 5, 2008 the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) obtained a judgment at the ECOWAS Court for the release of Chief Manneh, a reporter of the Banjul- based pro-government Daily Observer newspaper who disappeared on July 11 2006. Six months after the judgement, the Gambian government is yet to comply with the decision of the Court.

The MFWA believes that if these resolutions passed at the NGO forum are re-adopted by the African Commission on Human and Peoples Right at its 44th ordinary session, it will enhance the promotion of human rights and freedom of expression in the Gambia as well as serve as a deterrent to member states who would want to flout future court judgments.
Members of the Human Rights Violations in the Gambia include Amnesty International, Media Foundation for West Africa, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, and Women’s Rights to Education Programme.

Issued by NAFEO, Accra, November 14, 2008

The Network of African Freedom of Expression Organisations (NAFEO) promotes and defends freedom of press and expression in the continent. It was established in October 2005 by several significant freedom of expression organisations in Africa.

Media Foundation for West Africa