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Momodou
Denmark
11827 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Apr 2006 : 12:27:25
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Editorial
THE RELEASES CONTINUE
FOROYAA welcomes the releases of Mr. Madi Ceesay, President, Gambia Press Union (GPU), Mr. Musa Saidykhan, Vice President of the GPU and the rest. As a newspaper, we are also very concerned with the continued detention of Lamin Fatty of The Independent Newspaper. The occupation of the premise of the Independent Newspaper has also been very detrimental to the normal operations of the paper. The journalists who used to earn their daily bread from writing have been undergoing tremendous hardship. The government and the security agents should always bear in mind that Newspapers are both instruments for the amplification of the voices of the people as well as a source of income for many young Gambian journalists. Closing a press down without any court action is a tragedy. A government which aims to preserve its national and international integrity must not do anything that makes life difficult for its citizenry. It will always rely on the courts after 72 hours of detention to ensure accountability.
We therefore hope that the government will recognize the letter and spirit of section 207 of the constitution which states that “the press and other information media shall at all times be free to uphold principles, provisions and objectives of the constitution and the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people of the Gambia.”
The people of the Gambia maintains through the principle of the constitution that:
a. Every person shall have the right to liberty and security of person;
b. That no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention;
c. That within three hours a detainee should know the cause of his/her arrest and be granted the right to consult a legal practitioner;
d. That a person who is arrested and is not released should be brought before a court without undue delay and, in any event, within seventy-two hours;
e. That a person charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty; and
f. That property of any description shall not be occupied compulsorily without relying on conditions stipulated by law.
We hope the government that is elected to safeguard the general welfare of the people will do its utmost to get its agents to act in accordance with the laws designed to protect fundamental rights and freedoms. This is the way to promote peace, stability and development.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 31/2006, 24-26 April, 2006
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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