(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – In a 21 June 2000 letter to Colonel (Retd.) Yahya Jammeh, ARTICLE 19 expressed concern about reports that more than twenty members of the United Democratic Party (UDP), including its leader Ousainou Darboe, have been detained since their arrest on Sunday 18 June and have now been charged with murder. These events […]
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – In a 21 June 2000 letter to Colonel (Retd.) Yahya Jammeh, ARTICLE 19 expressed concern about reports that more than twenty members of the United Democratic Party (UDP), including its leader Ousainou Darboe, have been detained since their arrest on Sunday 18 June and have now been charged with murder. These events follow clashes on 17 June between UDP and pro-government supporters in Basse, in which one person, Alieu Njie, died. While the alleged murder of Njie should undoubtedly be investigated by the police, this round-up of a large number of opposition political activists leads us to question whether his death is being used as a pretext to harass the opposition as the local elections scheduled for November draw nearer.
We understand that a journalist with the “Gambia News and Report Weekly”, Madi Ceesay, is amongst those charged with murder. A free media is crucial if the citizens of a country are to be able to hold politicians accountable for their actions and if the electoral process is to be credible. Ceesayâs arrest could have a powerful chilling effect on the Gambian media at a time when it is especially important that it operates freely.
According to reports received by ARTICLE 19, the clashes which led to the death of Njie began with attacks on UDP members as they tried to dismantle a road barricade which was erected by government supporters in an apparent attempt to prevent an election campaign meeting from taking place. These events took place despite the UDP having being given clearance to campaign in the area. It is vital that all political parties are at liberty to express themselves freely and to undertake peaceful political activities without official harassment.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the colonel:
- calling for assurances that all of those being held are being treated humanely and are allowed access to their families, lawyers and doctors
- urging an immediate investigation into their cases and the cases of others reportedly held without charge
- noting that if it is established that any of those detained have committed no recognisable criminal offence, they should be released unconditionally
Appeals To
Colonel (Retd.) Yahya Jammeh
President of the Republic
State House
Banjul, The Gambia
Fax: + 220 22 70 34
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
