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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
 Posted - 22 Jul 2014 : 18:56:29
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Demba A. Jawo in Dakar reports that "This was the sit-in held at the Gambia High Commission in Dakar organised by Amnesty International, Raddho, Article 19 and some other civil society groups"
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Edited by - kobo on 22 Jul 2014 18:57:10 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jul 2014 : 06:17:36
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  Gainako News;
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
Press Release
EMBARGO – 22 July 2014 – 00.01 BST
The Gambia: Activists mark 20 years of iron fisted repression
The Gambian government must abolish the laws and iron fisted practices that have resulted in two decades of widespread human rights violations, Amnesty International said as it joined forces with other human rights groups for a global day of action marking 20 years since President Jammeh’s seizure of power.
Activists across the world will hold protests and public events today to raise awareness about the dire human rights situation in The Gambia, where many live in fear of arbitrary arrest, torture and enforced disappearance. In The Gambia, the anniversary is historically celebrated by the authorities as “Freedom Day”.
“Today marks 20 years of the rule of fear in The Gambia, where the list of victims of human rights violations grows ever longer,” said Stephen Cockburn, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for West and Central Africa.
“The Gambian authorities must investigate complaints made by victims of human rights violations and bring the perpetrators to justice. They should also repeal the laws which make this repression possible.”
Journalists, human rights defenders, political activists and other Gambians are frequently targeted for exercising their rights to freedom of expression.
A series of laws adopted since President Jammeh came to power in 1994 makes it possible for these violations to take place with almost total impunity and discourages victims from seeking redress.
In 2001, for example, the Indemnity (amendment) Act gave the President power to prevent security forces being prosecuted for any act committed during a state of emergency situation or as part of a process to quell an unlawful assembly.
More recently, in July 2013, the Gambian government passed the Information and Communication (Amendment) Act, through which journalists, bloggers and internet users can receive jail sentences of up to 15 years and fines of up to $75,000 for ‘spreading false news’.
“President Jammeh’s government must amend these and other laws used to restrict freedom of expression,” said Stephen Cockburn.
“The authorities must also release all those detained unlawfully unless they are charged with recognizable criminal offences and subjected to fair trials. They must also release all prisoners of conscience.”......Full Report |
Edited by - kobo on 23 Jul 2014 06:18:55 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jul 2014 : 19:48:46
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 Kairo News;
Gambian opposition leader Omar Jallow of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has decried the celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the military takeover that brought to power Yahya Jammeh, describing the move as ‘illegal’.
“You cannot glorify illegality. Everybody knows that a coup d’état is an illegal action condemned by international and local laws. Even those who tried to do what Jammeh did have been sentenced to life imprisonment,” he told this reporter......Full Report |
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20 Years of Fear July 22nd (1994-2014 )
