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African Commission Damns Gambia Government Over Worsening Human Rights Record

The African Commission on Human and People’s Right (ACHPR) has renewed its call on the government of President Yahya Jammeh to respect the rule of law and “bring an immediate end to the harassment and intimidation” meted out daily to media workers in the country.

The Commission said despite passing a resolution on the deteriorating human rights situation in the Gambia during its 44^th Ordinary Session in Abuja in November 2008, the government has been adamant and gleefully continues to abuse the rights of Gambian citizens including journalists and media workers.

Addressing the ongoing 45th Ordinary Session in Banjul, the permanent Headquarters of the ACHPR, the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, Pansy Tlakula urged the government to respect the ECOWAS Court’s order for the release of Chief Ebrima Manneh “from unlawful detention and payment of the damages awarded by the court”. Manneh, a reporter of the government-controlled privately-owned Daily Observer newspaper, has been in detention since July 2006.

Tlakula announced that the Commission would soon embark on a human rights “Promotion Mission” in the Gambia to engage the authorities on “the (deplorable) situation of freedom of expression” and also take steps to get compliance with the resolution passed by the African Commission.  

Arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions, and closure of media houses have characterized the 15-year administration of President Jammeh. Several journalists are in exile to escape the frequent inhuman treatment and torture. Beyond journalists, hundreds of Gambians of all social classes have been detained, tortured or killed with impunity.

Issued by the MFWA, Accra on May 20, 2009. 

The MFWA is a regional independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Accra. It was founded in 1997 to defend and promote the rights and freedom of the media and all forms of expression. 

For further information, please Contact:

Prof. Kwame Karikari
Executive Director
MFWA
P.O. Box LG 730,
Legon
Accra, Ghana
Tel 233-21 242470
Fax 233 -21 221084
Email: mfwa@africaonline.com.ghThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.mediafound.org