| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
 Posted - 15 Nov 2006 : 18:40:31
|
Whilst the complaints if true need investigation, Gambia unfortunately has no legislation providing asylum status to refugees.
Although we were the first country in West Africa to process asylum in 1823 and gave sanctuary to Liberated Africans in the High Seas and run away slaves on Lemaine Island, this practice has since stopped by 1843 when the Colonial Government took a stance of "every one go back to where they come from when the project failed and many freed slaves died in large numbers.
Sierra Leoneans in the Gambia were much better hosted in the Gambia than any group of refugees in Africa and they just melted in the society easily. Perhaps due to historical ties having been under one colonial governor twice, but also for the fact that many Gambians experienced life in Sierra Leone in the diamond business in Kono, Bo and also students at Furah Bay College and Njala University.
What has gone wrong that the peaceful existence is leading to these arrests?
Many refugees already knew Gambian friends in college and so were readily helped. Even After Independence, we continued to have Sierra Leonean high school principals. UNHCR was very proud of the integration of the refugees in the Gambia. Lets keep the peace and hospitality we have ever been known for.
I remember my old sierra Leonean friend in the Quadrangle called Mr. Kamara, very short round built, quiet and hardworking man. The only thing he remembers of his country was the Old Silk Cotton Tree in Freetown. Yet life moved on and no one ever thought of him as an outsider. He worked in Government departments, married a Gambian and proud to be one of us.
In the words of Governor Percy Harris " Things have always been relaxed here. When i first arrived here, prisoners who worked at the docks unloaded my baggage. They rushed up the steps of Government House and welcomed me. We shook hands and they hoped i would have a pleasant tour"
That spirit must continue as these two people have a common historical bond. Many Gambians today are actually Sierra Leonean, Ghanaians and Nigerians. Many of these people came to Gambia in 1823 and have since not returned nor been able to know where they actually came from. So be careful, the Sierra Leonean that you arrest in the street might be your distant cousin.
http://www.thepoint.gm/National%20Stories705.htm
|
|
|
jammin
Jamaica
149 Posts |
Posted - 17 Nov 2006 : 00:18:47
|
Your topic "What has gone wrong" interest me.i have read your post, and now you have wetted my appetite for more on the subject. i would be more than glad if you were to give a full overview of the Sierra Leonean experience as you see it.
The posting indicate to me that things could be better and as such requires input from the government. From your perspective, what do you think those input should be?
You refered to arrests, whose arrest? and what for? I am like a child sitting at an adult's feet, waiting to hear the end of the story. please do indulge me and continue. I find this most absorbing. |
Like a colossus He doth bestride the Narrow World |
Edited by - jammin on 17 Nov 2006 00:19:46 |
 |
|
|
Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 17 Nov 2006 : 01:20:29
|
quote:
Originally posted by kondorong
Whilst the complaints if true need investigation, Gambia unfortunately has no legislation providing asylum status to refugees.
Although we were the first country in West Africa to process asylum in 1823 and gave sanctuary to Liberated Africans in the High Seas and run away slaves on Lemaine Island, this practice has since stopped by 1843 when the Colonial Government took a stance of "every one go back to where they come from when the project failed and many freed slaves died in large numbers.
Sierra Leoneans in the Gambia were much better hosted in the Gambia than any group of refugees in Africa and they just melted in the society easily. Perhaps due to historical ties having been under one colonial governor twice, but also for the fact that many Gambians experienced life in Sierra Leone in the diamond business in Kono, Bo and also students at Furah Bay College and Njala University.
What has gone wrong that the peaceful existence is leading to these arrests?
Many refugees already knew Gambian friends in college and so were readily helped. Even After Independence, we continued to have Sierra Leonean high school principals. UNHCR was very proud of the integration of the refugees in the Gambia. Lets keep the peace and hospitality we have ever been known for.
I remember my old sierra Leonean friend in the Quadrangle called Mr. Kamara, very short round built, quiet and hardworking man. The only thing he remembers of his country was the Old Silk Cotton Tree in Freetown. Yet life moved on and no one ever thought of him as an outsider. He worked in Government departments, married a Gambian and proud to be one of us.
In the words of Governor Percy Harris " Things have always been relaxed here. When i first arrived here, prisoners who worked at the docks unloaded my baggage. They rushed up the steps of Government House and welcomed me. We shook hands and they hoped i would have a pleasant tour"
That spirit must continue as these two people have a common historical bond. Many Gambians today are actually Sierra Leonean, Ghanaians and Nigerians. Many of these people came to Gambia in 1823 and have since not returned nor been able to know where they actually came from. So be careful, the Sierra Leonean that you arrest in the street might be your distant cousin.
http://www.thepoint.gm/National%20Stories705.htm
nice one kons.
Don't let it slack. you remind me of one my freetownian teachers, now living in the same city with me.
She have Gambian kids, and they were denied Gambian passports.
Much thanks,
Dalton |
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
|
|
|
|
kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 20 Nov 2006 : 18:37:09
|
Well according to Gambian law, merely being born there does not guarantee citizenship. One of your parents or grandparents must be born in the Gambia just like in the United Kingdom. We have similar citizenship law.
There is no better citizen than the person who was born in the country. I hate the law and should change. Why should i qualify only if one of my parents was born in the Gambia. It think its a historical shame given the fact that we welcomed many non Gambians to our country for fear of persecution but yet we cannot recognise those born in the country becasue their parents were not born there. A birth certificate in the Gambia is not a right or proof of citizenship. We exhausted this issue some time ago. |
|
|
|
kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 20 Nov 2006 : 18:41:46
|
quote:
Originally posted by jammin
Your topic "What has gone wrong" interest me.i have read your post, and now you have wetted my appetite for more on the subject. i would be more than glad if you were to give a full overview of the Sierra Leonean experience as you see it.
The posting indicate to me that things could be better and as such requires input from the government. From your perspective, what do you think those input should be?
You refered to arrests, whose arrest? and what for? I am like a child sitting at an adult's feet, waiting to hear the end of the story. please do indulge me and continue. I find this most absorbing.
YOU NO BI PIKIN. YOU PASS BIG PA. SIERRA LEONE PEOPLE NA WE FAMILY LONG TIME.
I am just a small child sitting by the African fire and learning from the grand parents. However, if a child washes his hands, he can eat with kings. You are a power house Jammin.
I was making reference to the point newspaper. See the link below.
http://www.thepoint.gm/National%20Stories705.htm |
|
|
|
kiwi
Sweden
662 Posts |
Posted - 20 Nov 2006 : 22:18:15
|
| kondorong, do you mean that a person, not born in Gambia, can never receive a Gambian citizenship no matter how long she/he has been living in the country? |
kiwi |
|
|
|
kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 20 Nov 2006 : 22:41:59
|
Yes. Thats true. The exception is to naturalise as a gambian which is possible. You can get citizenship through your spouse if you naturalise or ordinarily you can get citizenship through your ownself by naturalising.
Otherwise you have to be born there or claim citizenship through one of your parents or grand parents who must be born in the Gambia.
A Gambian birth certificate alone is not proof of citizenship although it is a requirement for citizenship |
|
|
|
Alhassan
Sweden
813 Posts |
Posted - 21 Nov 2006 : 14:48:35
|
quote:
Originally posted by kondorong
Yes. Thats true. The exception is to naturalise as a gambian which is possible. You can get citizenship through your spouse if you naturalise or ordinarily you can get citizenship through your ownself by naturalising.
Otherwise you have to be born there or claim citizenship through one of your parents or grand parents who must be born in the Gambia.
A Gambian birth certificate alone is not proof of citizenship although it is a requirement for citizenship
Can you please tell us how to prove that one is a Gambian citizen? I can only prove my own by producing my birthcertificate. |
|
|
|
kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 21 Nov 2006 : 18:10:35
|
On your paaaport application form, there is space for fathers and mothers details and one of your grand parents. Most people only fill their immediate parents and palces of birth especially if they are born in the gambia. You only need details of grandparents if parents are not bron in the Gambia.
Your proof of citizenship is National ID card not the birth certificate. The birth certifcate only proofs that you were born in the Gambia. The ID card proofs your citizenship. The problem is understanding the law and enforcing it.
Under international law, everyone is entitled to a certificate of birth but not claiming citizenship of any country. That is the prerogative of the host country. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
