JOINT
PUBLIC STATEMENT
Gambia: call for an independent inquiry into the
death in detention of a protester Release all those arbitrarily
detained
Dakar, 22 April
2016- Last
week’s tragic events
demonstrate once again that The Gambia is ruled with an iron fist by a blind
dictator whose reputation is sullied since more than 20 years, by a macabre
record in human rights violations.
On 14 April 2016, Solo Sandeng, a prominent leader of the
opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), and other members organized a
peaceful protest demanding electoral reforms and the exercise of freedom of
expression in advance of December’s elections. According to several witnesses,
Sandeng, 57, Fatoumata Jawara, a young UDP leader and over 20 members were
arrested by the security forces who have severely beaten and brutalized
protesters. Fatoumata Jawara is believed to be suffering from serious injuries
due to ill-treatment while in detention. The UDP leadership claimed that
Sandeng died after being tortured by agents from the National Intelligence
Agency (NIA).
We, civil society and human rights organisations signatories
of this Statement, strongly believe that Solo Sandeng was tortured to death.
Several other detained protesters were also tortured by the security forces.
On 16 April,
Ousainu Darboe, the UDP leader and some members of the party’s Executive
peacefully gathered again to demand justice for Sandeng, and call for the
immediate release of detained party members. The police reacted violently and used tear gas
against protesters among whom 27 UDP members were arrested, bringing the number
to 50 arrested since 14 April.
On 21 April, our organizations have learnt that 37 UDP
members including the leader Ousainou Darboe appeared before a court and were
charged with unlawful assembly, incitement of violence, assembly without a
permit, interference with the traffic and uproar. However the following four
UDP members did not appear before the court: Solo Sandeng, Fatoumata Jawara,
Modou Ngum and Nogoi Njie
There is a prevailing climate of fear and terror since
more than 20 years. Journalists, human
rights activists, and ordinary citizens are targeted. Freedom of expression is at
risk. Several people are still held incommunicado. It is difficult to know
their exact number. The country uses the military court which still hands down
death sentences. Gambian authorities violate international human rights
standards.
1- Our organizations call
on President Yahya Jammeh:
- To shed light on the death in detention of Solo
Sandeng
- To drop all charges against peaceful protesters
- To release all political prisoners and prisoners of
conscience
- To promote the free exercise of fundamental rights
2- We also urge ECOWAS and
the AU:
- To systematically raise the Gambia’s negative human
rights record
- To implement strong measures against Gambia to
respect its international human rights obligations
3- Finally, we encourage
the international community:
- To impose targeted sanctions against President Yahya
Jammeh, his government and his family
Have signed
Senegal
1.
Cicodev Afrique
2.
Conseil
des Organisations non Gouvernementales (CONGAD)
3.
FAMEDEV
4.
Forum
Social Sénégalais
5.
Ligue
Sénégalaise des Droits de l'Homme(LSDH)
6.
Rencontre
Africaine pour les droits de l’homme (RADDHO)
7.
Syndicat
des
professionnels de l'information et de la communication du Sénégal
(Synpics)
8.
Société
Internationale des Droits de l’Homme section Sénégal (SIDH)
9.
Y’en
à Marre
Gambia
10.
Coalition for Change Gambia (CCG)
11.
Democratic Union of
Gambian Activists (DUGA)
Regional and International
1
12. Amnesty
International
13 ARTICLE 19
14. Institut Panos Afrique de l’Ouest (IPAO)
15 West African Human Rights Defenders Network (WAHRDN)
13 ARTICLE 19
14. Institut Panos Afrique de l’Ouest (IPAO)
15 West African Human Rights Defenders Network (WAHRDN)
