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Scorpiorain
Barbados
152 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Aug 2011 : 00:40:26
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Welcome to Sunshine Gambia - Once Upon A Bad Dream...
Beneath Gambia's beautiful sunny exterior of endless beaches, lush vegetation, friendly tourist guides, and sexy music lies a dark, tragic reality of oppression, suffering, and death. On 20th November 2009, that hidden side of Gambian life changed the lives of 8 men and their families forever.
Gambian Inspector General of Police Ensa Badjie waited uneasily in a secret detention facility, looking at a dishevelled, battered young man sitting on the floor. Reeling from recent torture, 21yr old Ebrima Marreh had no idea he was to become star witness in a treason trial and wave of mass arrests that would rock this tiny West African nation. Under torture, Ebrima Marreh was to make and then change his statement, to accuse a host of individuals of participating in a plot to overthrow the Gambian government. And so the meyhem began.
Hundreds were secretly arrested and dragged off to be interrogated. The forces of President Jammeh, who came to power in a coup in 1994, commit human rights violations against real and perceived opponents of the government on a routine basis. Mr. Jammeh has regularly claimed that authorities had uncovered attempted coups, using this as an excuse to launch waves of unlawful arrests, detentions, torture, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial executions, and unfair trials. Already in 2006, at least 63 perceived and real opponents were rounded up, some of whom disappeared and were reportedly killed. Mr Jammeh has also threatened to kill human rights defenders, cut off the heads of all gays in Gambia, expelled the Unicef envoy, and announced that executions would resume to counter rising crime. In March 2009, a state-sponsored witch-hunt led to approximately 1000 people being snatched from their villages and taken to secret detention centres by “witch hunters” where they were forced to confess to “witchcraft,” and made to drink hallucinogenic liquids and dirty water. Many were beaten and tortured. Some were raped and killed. No one really knows how many people are currently held in the notorious, squalid Mile Two Central Prison and other official detention facilities as well as in secret detention centres, including military barracks, secret quarters in police stations, police stations in remote areas and warehouses.
Of the hundreds who were taken in this latest wave of arrests, 8 men were deemed important enough to single out for especial persecution: Chief of Defense Staff General Lang Tombong Tamba , Director of Operations & Training General Omar Bun Mbye, Chief of the National Intelligence Agency Col. Lamin Bo Badjie, Deputy Inspector General of Police Modou Gaye, Deputy Gambian Ambassador to Guinea Bissau Gibril Ngorr Secka, former Commander of Kanilai Camp Lt. Col. Kawsu Camara; and 2 local business tycoons Abdoulie Joof and Youssef Ezzeedine.
The 8 men were all tortured in prison.
They were starved.
They were denied water for extended periods of time.
They were placed in solitary confinement in the worst cells in Mile 2.
The conditions they have been held in are appalling.
They were not allowed to see their families.
They were denied medical care of any kind though they were in very bad shape indeed (coughing blood, vomiting continuously, broken bones, and one of them having several heart attacks).
They were denied access to lawyers for a substantial amount of time. Then, they were allowed one lawyer between all of them, although that lawyer was barely allowed to visit them.
They were tried in a travesty of a trial, that was grossly unfair and in no way close to respecting international fair trial norms.
They were all pronounced guilty of treason, accused of fomenting a coup, and sentenced to death.
They will likely be killed unless their case gets more attention and they get proper legal representation to follow up vigorously on their case.
Their case is important because it is the canary in the gold-mine for what happens to all those who were taken in the wave of mass arrests in Fall 2009 and March 2010. It is also a symbolic case because it is so high profile.
Since their arrests, their families' lives have been turned upside down. Harassed, intimidated, bankrupted by legal fees, and afraid for their relatives, the defendants' wives, sisters, children and friends are desperate for justice to be done and their long nightmare to be over. The 8 have one last hope: an appeal at the Supreme Court in the Gambia. Everything hangs in the balance there.
One family member sighs, "We are praying for a miracle. It's difficult to explain the range and depth of emotions that continually wash over us since the day of their disappearance in November 2009. Living in hope, then plunged into the darkest despair - every time we hear some news we swing from horror, to joy, fear, elation, anxiety... How can we discuss in public something that could endanger their lives? We have been forced into a world of silence and prayer. I would like to cry out but must hide behind my tears and continue to pray that justice will prevail in Supreme Court. I can’t go on like this without him. Every day I wonder if he’s dead or alive in that prison, I’m just sleepwalking my way through life until he comes back to me alive and well."
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Edited by - Scorpiorain on 20 Aug 2011 20:23:06 |
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Kitabul Arerr
Gambia
645 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2011 : 03:25:31
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Go tell this to Gov. Lamin Waa "flogged to smithereens" Juwara, who, this week, claimed all these accusations as fairy tales on
Freedom radio, then challenging all Gambian diasporians to return home in the name of "nation building".
He'll definitely and shamelessly laugh at your indictment on Jammeh & Co.............................................L L!
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The New Gambia - Stronger Together! |
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Prince
507 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2011 : 07:28:50
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I feel sorry for the civilians and the rank and file caught up in this brutal rat race. However, I tried but cannot feel sorry for the former security chiefs who were at the echelon of power and information.
They helped to create, nurture, and sustain a system which they proudly and colorfully served. Shits-tem eventually turns around to bite them... same old cyclical story!
To me, their plight is similar to the Australian guy who made playing with Crocs his career. He knew the risk his job entails and continued playing. Harsh to say, but let them bite the dust for all we care! |
"When injustice becomes law, rebellion becomes duty." |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2011 : 15:31:17
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Its politics I am afraid,the golden rule of which is to let others do the work you just use the words,you then are able to distance yourself if you happen to have made the wrong choice or wrong decision,that's another thing, try never to make a decision if you are a politician, that can really damage you, just stick to words, much safer.
I understand your feelings and what you have written.
quote:
Originally posted by Scorpiorain
yep. let them bite the dust and let gambia keep making up these false charges. you don't want change. you just want to be there on the sidelines casting the first stones.
you guys claim to be on the side of justice. you make me laugh, you don't really care. you are as bad as DPP Chenge and Justice Amadi who tried and sentenced them to death.
Feel free to your opinions and watch them be executed. Not all military are serving as part of a brutal regime. There are some who are there serving their COUNTRY. Some are there as decent upstanding officers. I am sure you know each and every one of them to be able to make such a dismissal of a case you all know was false.
May it never be your own family going through this
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2011 : 12:58:40
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Scorpiorain ,I am sorry but Bantaba in Cyberspace is only a place to express your views about Gambia that are read by many but only a few post they are mainly politicians who wish to gain power in Gambia and talk and talk nothing else,most others have left ,only maybe a handful of us remain who have a great interest in the country but are not interested at all in politics and internal struggles concerned with the various parties and like me dislike politics.
I would suggest that maybe you notify your specific concerns to other organisations who are equipped to deal with them,and have websites that you can find on google and other search engines I can think of no other way for you to obtain the result that you crave. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Momodou
Denmark
11640 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2011 : 19:09:17
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quote:
Originally posted by Scorpiorain
Does this suit better?
Why delete all your postings on this topic? |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2011 : 19:32:22
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quote:
Why delete all your postings on this topic?
Maybe he was scared that you got his IP and report him (or her) to NIA! |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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Scorpiorain
Barbados
152 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2011 : 19:36:36
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I deleted them Momodou because
quote:
Originally posted by toubab1020
I would suggest that maybe you notify your specific concerns to other organisations who are equipped to deal with them,and have websites that you can find on google and other search engines I can think of no other way for you to obtain the result that you crave.
So I thought I might pop off to Google and see if there are any results to satiate my craving!! |
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Momodou
Denmark
11640 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2011 : 19:53:54
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But that is the suggestion/opinion of one person who is neither administrator or moderator of this forum.
Violation of human rights should not be condoned even of those believed to be accomplishes of a brutal regime. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Scorpiorain
Barbados
152 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2011 : 20:00:27
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Scared Turk? Why would I be scared? I didn't write anything that wasn't the truth. I'm sure if they wanted it the NIA would already have my IP address along with my home address. |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2011 : 20:52:34
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| Scorpiorain - Was joking. |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2011 : 00:17:13
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turk you are not a nice person at all,that is my own opinion.However you are very good at your job in ,what was it if I remember rightly, security and IT.
Momodou, as you well know, I am not a moderator or administrator on Bantaba in cyberspace,which to its credit lets people experience freedom of speech,the response was not in relation to the heartfelt feelings of Scorpiorain who was highlighting the "disappearence" of Gambians from as long ago as 2009, the respondents appeared to be banging their own political drum and little else.
I expressed my long held view of Bantaba in Cyberspace and Scorpiorain decided I had a point,in his response to you wrote:"So I thought I might pop off to Google and see if there are any results to satiate my craving!!"
Bantaba is part of your home page Momodou and what goes on here is nothing at all to do with me,it is unfortunate in some ways that Bantaba in Cyberspace is very addictive. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Scorpiorain
Barbados
152 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2011 : 00:43:23
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quote:
....the response was not in relation to the heartfelt feelings of Scorpiorain who was highlighting the "disappearence" of Gambians from as long ago as 2009,
638 days ago to be precise. Yes. It was long ago but every long day feels like yesterday. Every day is a struggle to find the grin to 'bear it'! Should we stop talking just because almost 2yrs passed since they vanished in the middle of the night? Until justice is done I can't see myself remaining silent.
Momodou. You are right. quote:
Violation of human rights should not be condoned even of those believed to be accomplishes of a brutal regime.
Do you REALLY believe that all military personel are as brutal as their commander-in-chief? (I'm almost scared of the replies to this question but would be interesting to hear)
Turk. Thanks. My humour gene is supressed these days. And if it helps, you can call me (her) :)
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Edited by - Scorpiorain on 21 Aug 2011 00:45:23 |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2011 : 13:57:32
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Pleased you have not given up on bantaba in cyberspace 
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Momodou
Denmark
11640 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2011 : 14:35:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Scorpiorain
..Do you REALLY believe that all military personel are as brutal as their commander-in-chief? (I'm almost scared of the replies to this question but would be interesting to hear)
No! I don't believe that. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Scorpiorain
Barbados
152 Posts |
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