The Gambia

“The failed coup of December 23 does not justify an attempt to stifle dissent and limit access to information. The government should immediately allow the Teranga radio station to resume operations.”

“The vague and imprecise provisions of this law could be used to arrest and detain anyone who is believed to be gay or lesbian, and contributes to the already severe climate of hostility and fear for LGBTI people in the country.”

Several provisions of the Gambian law violate international human rights law and amount to persecution on the basis of real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Sections of the law are similar to the harsh homophobic legislation that was annulled in August 2014 in Uganda.

It’s been 20 years since Lieutenant Yahya Jammeh overthrew the Gambian government and proclaimed himself President of the Republic. Some of the human rights violations recorded over the last 20 years include the killing of 14 protesters in April 2000 and the killing of journalist Deyda Hydara in 2004.

Less than a year after The Gambia passed a stiff information and communication law to stifle freedom of expression online, Gambians are reportedly experiencing interruptions while using mobile chat applications like Viber.

“I wanted to use my new found freedom in America to speak up because I regained the voice I lost. The book is my source of rejuvenation, my symbol of refusal to be silenced, and the avenue to continue to expose corruption, mismanagement, torture, repression, killings and the general dictatorship in The Gambia. I feel I owe it to the suffering people in The Gambia”, says journalist Omar Bah.

Authorities in The Gambia have pressed charges against two journalists over an article written in December 2013. The report describes a meeting where 19 members of the “Green Youths”, a group loyal to the ruling Alliance of Patriotic Re-Orientation and Construction, announced that they planned to join the United Democratic Party.

Musa Sheriff, editor-in-chief and owner of The Voice and reporter Sainey Marenah have been charged with conspiracy after Marenah wrote an article stating that 19 members of President Yahya Jammeh’s political party had left to join the United Democratic Party.

The announcement lifting the bans on The Standard and Teranga FM urged them to “operate within the framework of the laws governing the media in this country.” But this offers few guarantees as the main media law is one of the most repressive in Africa.

On the anniversary of Deyda Hydara’s assassination, a commemoration event was organised to remind the Gambian authorities of their obligation to shed light on this killing and put an end to all acts that violate freedom of expression and contravene human rights in general.

Mass Kah was arrested without charge after reportedly saying that the leader of the People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism party was “the only man who wears trousers in The Gambia.”

President Yahya Jammeh’s former press and public relations chief, Fatou Camara, has been charged with sedition for passing state secrets to a journalist. Camara previously worked as a talk show host for the state-run Gambia Radio and Television Services.

The arrest of Gambian TV broadcaster Fatou Camara may be linked to allegations she has been passing information to the international media, particularly a US-based newspaper which is critical of the President.

Nfamara Sambou vandalised Star FM’s studio and attempted to injure a radio show host after the station aired a story alleging Sambou had impregnated three women living in the same compound.

The government of The Gambia has given an indication of its readiness to fully implement the recently-passed draconian legislation intended to restrict online freedom.

On 22 July 2013, MFWA entreats all Internet-users across the world to join the Day of Action campaign to protest a new Internet law and the worsening state of free expression in The Gambia.