| THE GAMBIA Republic of The Gambia Republic of The Gambia Joined United Nations: 21 September 1965 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Click here Updated 10/28/10 |
| CAPITAL |
| POPULATION |
| CHIEF OF STATE |
| SELECTION PROCESS |
Banjul
1,778,081 (July 2010 est.)
President elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term
limits); election last held 22 September 2006; Note: from 1994 to
1996 Jammeh was chairman of the Junta
Next scheduled election: 2011
limits); election last held 22 September 2006; Note: from 1994 to
1996 Jammeh was chairman of the Junta
Next scheduled election: 2011
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
SELECTION PROCESS
According to The Gambia Constitution, the President is both the
Chief of State and Head of Government
Chief of State and Head of Government
| DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS |
| ETHNIC GROUPS |
African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1%
| RELIGIONS |
Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1%
| GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE |
Republic with 5 divisions and 1 city; Legal system is based on a composite of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law;
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Executive: President elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 22 September 2006 (next to be held in
2011)
Legislative: Unicameral National Assembly (53 seats; 48 members elected by popular vote, 5 appointed by the president; to serve
five-year terms)
elections: last held 25 January 2007 (next to be held in 2012)
Judicial: Supreme Court
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Executive: President elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 22 September 2006 (next to be held in
2011)
Legislative: Unicameral National Assembly (53 seats; 48 members elected by popular vote, 5 appointed by the president; to serve
five-year terms)
elections: last held 25 January 2007 (next to be held in 2012)
Judicial: Supreme Court
| LANGUAGES |
English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars
| BRIEF HISTORY |
Modern-day The Gambia was once part of the Ghana and Songhai Empires. The first written accounts of the region come from
records of Arab traders in the 9th and 10th centuries AD, who established the trans-Saharan trade route for slaves, gold, and ivory.
In the 15th century, the Portuguese took over this trade using maritime routes. At that time, The Gambia was part of the Mali
Empire. In 1588, the claimant to the Portuguese throne, Antonio, Prior of Crato, sold exclusive trade rights on The Gambia River to
English merchants; this grant was confirmed by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I. In 1618, King James I granted a charter to a
British company for trade with The Gambia and the Gold Coast (now Ghana). Between 1651 and 1661 part of Gambia was
(indirectly) a colony of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth; it was purchased by the Courlandish prince Jakub Kettler. At that time
Courland, in modern-day Latvia, was a fiefdom of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The Courlanders settled on James Island,
which they called St. Andrews Island and used as a trade base from 1651 until its capture by the English in 1661. During the late
17th and throughout the 18th century, England and France constantly struggled for political and commercial supremacy in the
regions of the Senegal and Gambia Rivers. The 1783 Treaty of Paris gave Great Britain possession of The Gambia, but the French
retained a tiny enclave at Albreda on the north bank of the river, which was ceded to the United Kingdom in 1857. As many as 3
million slaves may have been taken from the region during the three centuries that the transatlantic slave trade operated. It is not
known how many slaves were taken by Arab traders prior to and simultaneous with the transatlantic slave trade. Most of those
taken were sold to Europeans by other Africans; some were prisoners of intertribal wars; some were sold because of unpaid debts,
while others were kidnapped. Slaves were initially sent to Europe to work as servants until the market for labor expanded in the
West Indies and North America in the 18th century. In 1807, slave trading was abolished throughout the British Empire, and the
British tried unsuccessfully to end the slave trade in The Gambia. They established the military post of Bathurst (now Banjul) in
1816. In the ensuing years, Banjul was at times under the jurisdiction of the British Governor General in Sierra Leone. In 1888, The
Gambia became a separate colonial entity. An 1889 agreement with France established the present boundaries, and The Gambia
became a British Crown Colony, divided for administrative purposes into the colony (city of Banjul and the surrounding area) and
the protectorate (remainder of the territory). The Gambia received its own executive and legislative councils in 1901 and gradually
progressed toward self-government. A 1906 ordinance abolished slavery. During World War II, Gambian troops fought with the
Allies in Burma. Banjul served as an air stop for the U.S. Army Air Corps and a port of call for Allied naval convoys. U.S.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt stopped overnight in Banjul en route to and from the Casablanca Conference in 1943, marking the
first visit to the African Continent by an American president while in office. After WWII, the pace of constitutional reform increased.
Following general elections in 1962, full internal self-governance was granted in the following year. The Gambia achieved
independence on February 18, 1965 as a constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth. Shortly thereafter, the government
held a referendum proposing that an elected president replace the British monarch as head of state. The referendum failed to receive
the two-thirds majority required to amend the constitution, but the results won widespread attention abroad as testimony to The
Gambia's observance of secret balloting, honest elections, and civil rights and liberties. On April 24, 1970, The Gambia became a
republic within the Commonwealth, following a second referendum, with Prime Minister Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, as head of
state. Until a military coup in July 1994, The Gambia was led by President Jawara, who was re-elected five times. The relative
stability of the Jawara era was shattered first by a coup attempt in 1981. The coup was led by Kukoi Samba Sanyang, who, on two
occasions, had unsuccessfully sought election to Parliament. After a week of violence which left several hundred people dead,
Jawara, in London when the attack began, appealed to Senegal for help. Senegalese troops defeated the rebel force. In the
aftermath of the attempted coup, Senegal and The Gambia signed the 1982 Treaty of Confederation. The Senegambia
Confederation came into existence; it aimed eventually to combine the armed forces of the two states and to unify their economies
and currencies. The Gambia withdrew from the confederation in 1989. In July 1994, Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh led a coup d'état that
deposed the Jawara government. Between 1994 and 1996, Jammeh ruled as head of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council
(AFPRC) and banned opposition political activity. The AFPRC announced a transition plan for a return to democratic civilian rule,
establishing the Provisional Independent Electoral Commission (PIEC) in 1996 to conduct national elections. After a constitutional
referendum (in August), presidential and parliamentary elections were held. Jammeh was sworn into office as president on
November 6, 1996. The following year, the PIEC transformed into the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on April 17.
Jammeh has won both the 2001 and 2006 elections. He is up for re-election in 2011. China cut ties with The Gambia in 1995 after
the latter recognized Taiwan as an independent state. The Gambia accepted a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council from
1998 to 1999.
Source: Wikipedia: History of The Gambia
records of Arab traders in the 9th and 10th centuries AD, who established the trans-Saharan trade route for slaves, gold, and ivory.
In the 15th century, the Portuguese took over this trade using maritime routes. At that time, The Gambia was part of the Mali
Empire. In 1588, the claimant to the Portuguese throne, Antonio, Prior of Crato, sold exclusive trade rights on The Gambia River to
English merchants; this grant was confirmed by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I. In 1618, King James I granted a charter to a
British company for trade with The Gambia and the Gold Coast (now Ghana). Between 1651 and 1661 part of Gambia was
(indirectly) a colony of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth; it was purchased by the Courlandish prince Jakub Kettler. At that time
Courland, in modern-day Latvia, was a fiefdom of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The Courlanders settled on James Island,
which they called St. Andrews Island and used as a trade base from 1651 until its capture by the English in 1661. During the late
17th and throughout the 18th century, England and France constantly struggled for political and commercial supremacy in the
regions of the Senegal and Gambia Rivers. The 1783 Treaty of Paris gave Great Britain possession of The Gambia, but the French
retained a tiny enclave at Albreda on the north bank of the river, which was ceded to the United Kingdom in 1857. As many as 3
million slaves may have been taken from the region during the three centuries that the transatlantic slave trade operated. It is not
known how many slaves were taken by Arab traders prior to and simultaneous with the transatlantic slave trade. Most of those
taken were sold to Europeans by other Africans; some were prisoners of intertribal wars; some were sold because of unpaid debts,
while others were kidnapped. Slaves were initially sent to Europe to work as servants until the market for labor expanded in the
West Indies and North America in the 18th century. In 1807, slave trading was abolished throughout the British Empire, and the
British tried unsuccessfully to end the slave trade in The Gambia. They established the military post of Bathurst (now Banjul) in
1816. In the ensuing years, Banjul was at times under the jurisdiction of the British Governor General in Sierra Leone. In 1888, The
Gambia became a separate colonial entity. An 1889 agreement with France established the present boundaries, and The Gambia
became a British Crown Colony, divided for administrative purposes into the colony (city of Banjul and the surrounding area) and
the protectorate (remainder of the territory). The Gambia received its own executive and legislative councils in 1901 and gradually
progressed toward self-government. A 1906 ordinance abolished slavery. During World War II, Gambian troops fought with the
Allies in Burma. Banjul served as an air stop for the U.S. Army Air Corps and a port of call for Allied naval convoys. U.S.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt stopped overnight in Banjul en route to and from the Casablanca Conference in 1943, marking the
first visit to the African Continent by an American president while in office. After WWII, the pace of constitutional reform increased.
Following general elections in 1962, full internal self-governance was granted in the following year. The Gambia achieved
independence on February 18, 1965 as a constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth. Shortly thereafter, the government
held a referendum proposing that an elected president replace the British monarch as head of state. The referendum failed to receive
the two-thirds majority required to amend the constitution, but the results won widespread attention abroad as testimony to The
Gambia's observance of secret balloting, honest elections, and civil rights and liberties. On April 24, 1970, The Gambia became a
republic within the Commonwealth, following a second referendum, with Prime Minister Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, as head of
state. Until a military coup in July 1994, The Gambia was led by President Jawara, who was re-elected five times. The relative
stability of the Jawara era was shattered first by a coup attempt in 1981. The coup was led by Kukoi Samba Sanyang, who, on two
occasions, had unsuccessfully sought election to Parliament. After a week of violence which left several hundred people dead,
Jawara, in London when the attack began, appealed to Senegal for help. Senegalese troops defeated the rebel force. In the
aftermath of the attempted coup, Senegal and The Gambia signed the 1982 Treaty of Confederation. The Senegambia
Confederation came into existence; it aimed eventually to combine the armed forces of the two states and to unify their economies
and currencies. The Gambia withdrew from the confederation in 1989. In July 1994, Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh led a coup d'état that
deposed the Jawara government. Between 1994 and 1996, Jammeh ruled as head of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council
(AFPRC) and banned opposition political activity. The AFPRC announced a transition plan for a return to democratic civilian rule,
establishing the Provisional Independent Electoral Commission (PIEC) in 1996 to conduct national elections. After a constitutional
referendum (in August), presidential and parliamentary elections were held. Jammeh was sworn into office as president on
November 6, 1996. The following year, the PIEC transformed into the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on April 17.
Jammeh has won both the 2001 and 2006 elections. He is up for re-election in 2011. China cut ties with The Gambia in 1995 after
the latter recognized Taiwan as an independent state. The Gambia accepted a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council from
1998 to 1999.
Source: Wikipedia: History of The Gambia
| ECONOMIC OVERVIEW |
The Gambia has sparse natural resource deposits and a limited agricultural base, and relies in part on remittances from workers
overseas. About three-quarters of the population depends on the agricultural sector for its livelihood. Small-scale manufacturing
activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. The Gambia's natural beauty and proximity to Europe has made it one of
the larger markets for tourism in West Africa, boosted by government and private sector investments in eco-tourism and upscale
facilities. In the past few years, the Gambia's re-export trade - traditionally a major segment of economic activity - has declined, but
its banking sector has grown rapidly. Unemployment and underemployment rates remain high; economic progress depends on
sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management, and on continued technical assistance
from multilateral and bilateral donors.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select The Gambia)
overseas. About three-quarters of the population depends on the agricultural sector for its livelihood. Small-scale manufacturing
activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. The Gambia's natural beauty and proximity to Europe has made it one of
the larger markets for tourism in West Africa, boosted by government and private sector investments in eco-tourism and upscale
facilities. In the past few years, the Gambia's re-export trade - traditionally a major segment of economic activity - has declined, but
its banking sector has grown rapidly. Unemployment and underemployment rates remain high; economic progress depends on
sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management, and on continued technical assistance
from multilateral and bilateral donors.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select The Gambia)
| POLITICAL CLIMATE |
Before the coup d'état in July 1994, The Gambia was one of the oldest existing multi-party democracies in Africa. It had conducted
freely contested elections every 5 years since independence. After the military coup, politicians from deposed President Jawara's
People's Progressive Party (PPP) and other senior government officials were banned from participating in politics until July 2001.
The People's Progressive Party (PPP), headed by former president Jawara, had dominated Gambian politics for nearly 30 years.
The last elections under the PPP regime were held in April 1992.
Following the coup, a presidential election took place in September 1996, in which retired Col. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh won 56% of
the vote. The legislative elections held in January 1997 were dominated by the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction
(the new incarnation of AFPRC), which captured 33 out of 45 seats. In July 2001, the ban on Jawara-era political parties and
politicians was lifted. Four registered opposition parties participated in the 18 October 2001, presidential election, which the
incumbent, President Yahya Jammeh, won with almost 53% of the votes. The APRC maintained its strong majority in the National
Assembly in legislative elections held in January 2002, particularly after the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP)
boycotted the legislative elections.
On the 21st and22 March 2006, amid tensions preceding the 2006 presidential elections, an alleged planned military coup was
uncovered. President Yahya Jammeh was forced to return from a trip to Mauritania, many suspected army officials were arrested,
and prominent army officials, including the army chief of staff, fled the country. There are claims circulating that this whole event was
fabricated by the President incumbent for his own devious purposes - however the veracity of these claims is not known, as no
corroborating evidence has as yet been brought forward. It is doubtful whether the full truth will ever be known however, as anyone
with any evidence would not be likely to come forward with it in light of the poor human rights record of the National Intelligence
Agency, and their well-known penchant for torturing and detaining indefinitely anyone who speaks up against the Government.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of The Gambia
freely contested elections every 5 years since independence. After the military coup, politicians from deposed President Jawara's
People's Progressive Party (PPP) and other senior government officials were banned from participating in politics until July 2001.
The People's Progressive Party (PPP), headed by former president Jawara, had dominated Gambian politics for nearly 30 years.
The last elections under the PPP regime were held in April 1992.
Following the coup, a presidential election took place in September 1996, in which retired Col. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh won 56% of
the vote. The legislative elections held in January 1997 were dominated by the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction
(the new incarnation of AFPRC), which captured 33 out of 45 seats. In July 2001, the ban on Jawara-era political parties and
politicians was lifted. Four registered opposition parties participated in the 18 October 2001, presidential election, which the
incumbent, President Yahya Jammeh, won with almost 53% of the votes. The APRC maintained its strong majority in the National
Assembly in legislative elections held in January 2002, particularly after the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP)
boycotted the legislative elections.
On the 21st and22 March 2006, amid tensions preceding the 2006 presidential elections, an alleged planned military coup was
uncovered. President Yahya Jammeh was forced to return from a trip to Mauritania, many suspected army officials were arrested,
and prominent army officials, including the army chief of staff, fled the country. There are claims circulating that this whole event was
fabricated by the President incumbent for his own devious purposes - however the veracity of these claims is not known, as no
corroborating evidence has as yet been brought forward. It is doubtful whether the full truth will ever be known however, as anyone
with any evidence would not be likely to come forward with it in light of the poor human rights record of the National Intelligence
Agency, and their well-known penchant for torturing and detaining indefinitely anyone who speaks up against the Government.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of The Gambia
| INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES |
Attempts to stem refugees, cross-border raids, arms smuggling, and other illegal activities by separatists from southern Senegal's
Casamance region, as well as from conflicts in other west African states.
Casamance region, as well as from conflicts in other west African states.
| REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPS) |
Refugees (country of origin): 5,955 (Sierra Leone) (2007)
| ILLICIT DRUGS |
None reported
| HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENTS, ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUES |
2009 Human Rights Reports: The Gambia
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
The Gambia is a multiparty, democratic republic with an estimated population of 1.86 million. In 2006 President Alhaji Yahya Jammeh
was reelected for a third five-year term in an election considered partially free and fair. President Jammeh's party, the Alliance for
Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), continued to dominate the National Assembly after elections held in 2007, which were
also considered partially free and fair. While civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces, there were
some instances in which elements of the security forces acted independently.
Human rights problems included:
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
The Gambia is a multiparty, democratic republic with an estimated population of 1.86 million. In 2006 President Alhaji Yahya Jammeh
was reelected for a third five-year term in an election considered partially free and fair. President Jammeh's party, the Alliance for
Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), continued to dominate the National Assembly after elections held in 2007, which were
also considered partially free and fair. While civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces, there were
some instances in which elements of the security forces acted independently.
Human rights problems included:
- government complicity in the abduction of citizens;
- torture and abuse of detainees and prisoners, including political prisoners;
- poor prison conditions;
- arbitrary arrest and detention of citizens, including incommunicado detention;
- denial of due process and prolonged pretrial detention;
- restrictions on freedom of speech and press;
- violence against women and girls, including female genital mutilation (FGM);
- forced child marriage;
- trafficking in persons;
- child prostitution;
- discrimination against homosexual activity;
- child labor.
18 June 2010
Human Rights Council
Fourteenth session
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to
development
Report of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Philip Alston*
Communications to and from Governments
Gambia
Death threats against human rights defenders made by head of state
Violation alleged: Death threats and fear of imminent extrajudicial executions by State officials, paramilitary groups, or groups
cooperating with or tolerated by the Government, as well as unidentified persons who may be linked to the categories mentioned above
and when the Government is failing to take appropriate protection measures
Subject(s) of appeal: Group concern
Character of reply: No response
Observations of the Special Rapporteur: The Special Rapporteur regrets that the Government of the Gambia has failed to cooperate with
the mandate that he has been given by the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council. Urgent Appeal dated 29 September 2009,
sent with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and
protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression .
251. In this connection, we would like to draw the attention of your Excellency’s Government to information we have received
regarding the recent speech of the President of the Gambia, Colonel A.J.J Jammeh, allegedly threatening human rights defenders and
anyone who seeks to “destabilise” the country. According to the information received:
On 21 September 2009, President Jammeh delivered a speech on the state-owned Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS), where
he allegedly threatened to kill human rights defenders in the Gambia, together with anyone who seeks to “destabilise” the country. Some
excerpts of his speech read as follows:
“What I want to make very clear to everybody and those so-called human rights campaigners is that I will never allow anyone to
destabilise this country. […] If you think that you can collaborate with so-called human rights defenders, and get away with it, you must
be living in a dream world. I will kill you, and nothing will come out of it. If you are affiliated with any human rights group, be rest (sic)
assured that your security is not guaranteed by my Government. We are ready to kill saboteurs.”
Click here to read more »
Human Rights Council
Fourteenth session
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to
development
Report of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Philip Alston*
Communications to and from Governments
Gambia
Death threats against human rights defenders made by head of state
Violation alleged: Death threats and fear of imminent extrajudicial executions by State officials, paramilitary groups, or groups
cooperating with or tolerated by the Government, as well as unidentified persons who may be linked to the categories mentioned above
and when the Government is failing to take appropriate protection measures
Subject(s) of appeal: Group concern
Character of reply: No response
Observations of the Special Rapporteur: The Special Rapporteur regrets that the Government of the Gambia has failed to cooperate with
the mandate that he has been given by the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council. Urgent Appeal dated 29 September 2009,
sent with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and
protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression .
251. In this connection, we would like to draw the attention of your Excellency’s Government to information we have received
regarding the recent speech of the President of the Gambia, Colonel A.J.J Jammeh, allegedly threatening human rights defenders and
anyone who seeks to “destabilise” the country. According to the information received:
On 21 September 2009, President Jammeh delivered a speech on the state-owned Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS), where
he allegedly threatened to kill human rights defenders in the Gambia, together with anyone who seeks to “destabilise” the country. Some
excerpts of his speech read as follows:
“What I want to make very clear to everybody and those so-called human rights campaigners is that I will never allow anyone to
destabilise this country. […] If you think that you can collaborate with so-called human rights defenders, and get away with it, you must
be living in a dream world. I will kill you, and nothing will come out of it. If you are affiliated with any human rights group, be rest (sic)
assured that your security is not guaranteed by my Government. We are ready to kill saboteurs.”
Click here to read more »
Freedom In The World 2010 Report
Political Rights Score: 5
Civil Liberties Score: 5
Status: Partly Free
Ratings Change
The Gambia’s civil liberties rating declined from 4 to 5 due to President Yahya Jammeh’s enhanced personal control over the
judiciary and threats of violence against civil society organizations.
Overview
President Yahya Jammeh exerted growing personal control over state institutions in 2009, capriciously replacing the chief justice and
other senior officials. Jammeh also publicly threatened journalists and warned that he would execute any human rights activists who
destabilized the country.
Jammeh won a new five-year term in the September 2006 presidential election, taking 67.3 percent of the vote. Darboe, running as the
candidate of the United Democratic Party (UDP), received 26.6 percent, while another opposition leader, Halifa Sallah, captured the
remaining share. The preelection period was marred by government repression of the media and the opposition, and Darboe rejected the
results as a “sham.” In January 2007 legislative elections, the APRC won 42 out of 48 contested seats and gained another five that are
filled by presidential appointees. A Commonwealth election observation group called for “a more level playing field and a more restrained
utilization of the advantages of incumbency.”
Jammeh has drawn criticism for erratic statements and behavior. He has claimed that he can personally cure HIV/AIDS using traditional
herbs, and in 2008 the president threatened decapitation for any homosexuals who remained in the country. In September 2009, he
publicly warned against causing instability through human rights activism, reportedly saying, “If you think that you can collaborate with
so-called human rights defenders, and get away with it, you must be living in a dream world. I will kill you, and nothing will come out of
it.” Also in 2009, the president continued his practice of arbitrarily replacing top government officials, sacking the chief justice, the
speaker of parliament, and a number of cabinet ministers in June. Dozens of military officers were reportedly arrested in November on
suspicion of planning a coup.
Although The Gambia is a poor, agrarian country, it has experienced modest economic growth thanks to its tourism industry and the
government’s increased emphasis on economic development, for which it received praise in 2009 from World Bank and African
Development Bank officials.
The Gambia is not an electoral democracy. The 2006 presidential election was marred by serious government repression of the media
and the opposition, and Commonwealth observers found similar flaws in the 2008 legislative elections.The president is elected by popular
vote for unlimited five-year terms. Of the 53 members of the unicameral National Assembly, 48 are elected by popular vote and the
remainder are appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms.
Click here to read more »
Political Rights Score: 5
Civil Liberties Score: 5
Status: Partly Free
Ratings Change
The Gambia’s civil liberties rating declined from 4 to 5 due to President Yahya Jammeh’s enhanced personal control over the
judiciary and threats of violence against civil society organizations.
Overview
President Yahya Jammeh exerted growing personal control over state institutions in 2009, capriciously replacing the chief justice and
other senior officials. Jammeh also publicly threatened journalists and warned that he would execute any human rights activists who
destabilized the country.
Jammeh won a new five-year term in the September 2006 presidential election, taking 67.3 percent of the vote. Darboe, running as the
candidate of the United Democratic Party (UDP), received 26.6 percent, while another opposition leader, Halifa Sallah, captured the
remaining share. The preelection period was marred by government repression of the media and the opposition, and Darboe rejected the
results as a “sham.” In January 2007 legislative elections, the APRC won 42 out of 48 contested seats and gained another five that are
filled by presidential appointees. A Commonwealth election observation group called for “a more level playing field and a more restrained
utilization of the advantages of incumbency.”
Jammeh has drawn criticism for erratic statements and behavior. He has claimed that he can personally cure HIV/AIDS using traditional
herbs, and in 2008 the president threatened decapitation for any homosexuals who remained in the country. In September 2009, he
publicly warned against causing instability through human rights activism, reportedly saying, “If you think that you can collaborate with
so-called human rights defenders, and get away with it, you must be living in a dream world. I will kill you, and nothing will come out of
it.” Also in 2009, the president continued his practice of arbitrarily replacing top government officials, sacking the chief justice, the
speaker of parliament, and a number of cabinet ministers in June. Dozens of military officers were reportedly arrested in November on
suspicion of planning a coup.
Although The Gambia is a poor, agrarian country, it has experienced modest economic growth thanks to its tourism industry and the
government’s increased emphasis on economic development, for which it received praise in 2009 from World Bank and African
Development Bank officials.
The Gambia is not an electoral democracy. The 2006 presidential election was marred by serious government repression of the media
and the opposition, and Commonwealth observers found similar flaws in the 2008 legislative elections.The president is elected by popular
vote for unlimited five-year terms. Of the 53 members of the unicameral National Assembly, 48 are elected by popular vote and the
remainder are appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms.
Click here to read more »
PUBLIC STATEMENT
22 July 2010
“Freedom Day” in The Gambia is a travesty
As Gambia celebrates its national holiday today, called “Freedom Day” by President Yahya Jammeh, hundreds of activists representing
over eighty seven non-governmental organisations participated in protests and other activities in fourteen countries. On this “Day of
Action,” activists in 14 different countries worldwide will draw attention to the appalling human rights record of President Yahya
Jammeh’s government in The Gambia.
Naming Gambia’s national holiday ‘Freedom Day’ is a shameful travesty: President Yahya Jammeh’s government has cracked down on
political freedom and commits widespread human rights violations with total impunity. Freedom remains an illusion for most Gambians,
who live in fear of arbitrary arrest, torture, incommunicado detention, unfair trials, rape, disappearance, and extra-judicial executions.
Unfair trials and prison conditions
Hundreds were incarcerated and held incommunicado in appalling conditions after waves of arrests in November of 2009 and in March
2010. Only eight have been tried, in a so-called treason trial where they are accused of fomenting a coup. The eight men were accused
of procuring arms, equipment, and mercenaries to stage a coup against President Yahya Jammeh’s government. Judge Emmanuel Amadi
found them guilty of treason and sentenced them all to death last week.
The trial violated a host of international fair trial standards. Detainees had little or no access to their lawyers or even their families.
Sources indicate that the accused have been tortured, while others were pressured to provide false testimony at the trial, under threat of
imprisonment and torture. The government persecuted those who refused to give false testimony, allegedly going to far as to make death
threats.
Conditions in Gambian prisons, especially in Mile 2 Central Prison and other secret detention centres, military barracks, secret quarters in
police stations, police stations in remote areas, and warehouses are appalling. They amount to a violation of the right not to be subjected
to inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment.
Arbitrary detentions
Gambia’s human rights situation deteriorated after 1994, when Lieutenant Yahya Jammeh came to power and banned all political parties
or political activities. Since March 2006, when President Jammeh claimed to have uncovered an attempted coup plot, the situation has
gotten steadily worse.
Members of the President’s own personal protection guard – who are under his direct control – carry out the most egregious abuses, as
do certain units in the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) often referred to as green boys, ninjas, or drug boys. However, the army and
police also commit serious human rights violations.
Click here to read more »
22 July 2010
“Freedom Day” in The Gambia is a travesty
As Gambia celebrates its national holiday today, called “Freedom Day” by President Yahya Jammeh, hundreds of activists representing
over eighty seven non-governmental organisations participated in protests and other activities in fourteen countries. On this “Day of
Action,” activists in 14 different countries worldwide will draw attention to the appalling human rights record of President Yahya
Jammeh’s government in The Gambia.
Naming Gambia’s national holiday ‘Freedom Day’ is a shameful travesty: President Yahya Jammeh’s government has cracked down on
political freedom and commits widespread human rights violations with total impunity. Freedom remains an illusion for most Gambians,
who live in fear of arbitrary arrest, torture, incommunicado detention, unfair trials, rape, disappearance, and extra-judicial executions.
Unfair trials and prison conditions
Hundreds were incarcerated and held incommunicado in appalling conditions after waves of arrests in November of 2009 and in March
2010. Only eight have been tried, in a so-called treason trial where they are accused of fomenting a coup. The eight men were accused
of procuring arms, equipment, and mercenaries to stage a coup against President Yahya Jammeh’s government. Judge Emmanuel Amadi
found them guilty of treason and sentenced them all to death last week.
The trial violated a host of international fair trial standards. Detainees had little or no access to their lawyers or even their families.
Sources indicate that the accused have been tortured, while others were pressured to provide false testimony at the trial, under threat of
imprisonment and torture. The government persecuted those who refused to give false testimony, allegedly going to far as to make death
threats.
Conditions in Gambian prisons, especially in Mile 2 Central Prison and other secret detention centres, military barracks, secret quarters in
police stations, police stations in remote areas, and warehouses are appalling. They amount to a violation of the right not to be subjected
to inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment.
Arbitrary detentions
Gambia’s human rights situation deteriorated after 1994, when Lieutenant Yahya Jammeh came to power and banned all political parties
or political activities. Since March 2006, when President Jammeh claimed to have uncovered an attempted coup plot, the situation has
gotten steadily worse.
Members of the President’s own personal protection guard – who are under his direct control – carry out the most egregious abuses, as
do certain units in the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) often referred to as green boys, ninjas, or drug boys. However, the army and
police also commit serious human rights violations.
Click here to read more »
The Commonwealth is a Jamboree of Repression
The Commonwealth has developed a 21st-century role – as a haven for serial human rights abusers
by Tom Porteous, London director
Published in: The Guardian (UK)
November 24, 2009
What's the point of the Commonwealth? Every two years the question comes around in the run-up to the Commonwealth heads of
government meeting. Then everyone goes home and forgets about it until the next one.
Starved of cash and political attention, the Commonwealth becomes ever more marginal. Even the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth
Office hardly mentions it in major foreign policy pronouncements.
But is the Commonwealth redundant? Or is it, as Lord Howell, a Tory former chair of the foreign affairs committee, said recently, an
"ideal soft power network" for the multipolar world?
The answer depends on whether the Commonwealth can muster the collective political will to uphold its core values of political freedom
and respect for human rights. In the past it has punished errant members: apartheid South Africa was excluded; Nigeria was suspended
in 1995 after the execution of Ken Saro Wiwa; Pakistan was suspended after General Musharraf's coup d'etat in 1999, and again in
2007; Zimbabwe was suspended in 2002, and withdrew from the organisation the following year.
However, in recent years the collective political will of Commonwealth members to promote human rights has all but evaporated. Only
the tiny Pacific nation of Fiji, suspended following a coup in 2006, will be excluded from this month's Commonwealth jamboree in
Trinidad. And beyond the summits the Commonwealth has become even more pusillanimous.
Its secretariat fails to push or fund its human rights unit as a viable mechanism to encourage its members to comply with international
standards; neither the secretary-general nor the diplomats of leading member states make a serious effort to get the Commonwealth to
act collectively at the UN and elsewhere to champion human rights.
Over the past six years, the Sri Lankan government - presiding over serious violations of the laws of war and a vicious assault on its
critics - has even sat on the Commonwealth ministerial action group, responsible for enforcing members' compliance with the
Commonwealth's core values. There could be no better symbol of its failure to protect human rights and political freedoms.
Pakistan and Bangladesh, with a nod from London and Washington, use the real threat of terrorism to justify abuses such as torture and
illegal detention. Kenya deliberately avoids accountability for serious abuses during the post-election violence in 2007. Cameroon, Uganda
and the Gambia intimidate human rights defenders and journalists.
Click here to read more »
The Commonwealth has developed a 21st-century role – as a haven for serial human rights abusers
by Tom Porteous, London director
Published in: The Guardian (UK)
November 24, 2009
What's the point of the Commonwealth? Every two years the question comes around in the run-up to the Commonwealth heads of
government meeting. Then everyone goes home and forgets about it until the next one.
Starved of cash and political attention, the Commonwealth becomes ever more marginal. Even the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth
Office hardly mentions it in major foreign policy pronouncements.
But is the Commonwealth redundant? Or is it, as Lord Howell, a Tory former chair of the foreign affairs committee, said recently, an
"ideal soft power network" for the multipolar world?
The answer depends on whether the Commonwealth can muster the collective political will to uphold its core values of political freedom
and respect for human rights. In the past it has punished errant members: apartheid South Africa was excluded; Nigeria was suspended
in 1995 after the execution of Ken Saro Wiwa; Pakistan was suspended after General Musharraf's coup d'etat in 1999, and again in
2007; Zimbabwe was suspended in 2002, and withdrew from the organisation the following year.
However, in recent years the collective political will of Commonwealth members to promote human rights has all but evaporated. Only
the tiny Pacific nation of Fiji, suspended following a coup in 2006, will be excluded from this month's Commonwealth jamboree in
Trinidad. And beyond the summits the Commonwealth has become even more pusillanimous.
Its secretariat fails to push or fund its human rights unit as a viable mechanism to encourage its members to comply with international
standards; neither the secretary-general nor the diplomats of leading member states make a serious effort to get the Commonwealth to
act collectively at the UN and elsewhere to champion human rights.
Over the past six years, the Sri Lankan government - presiding over serious violations of the laws of war and a vicious assault on its
critics - has even sat on the Commonwealth ministerial action group, responsible for enforcing members' compliance with the
Commonwealth's core values. There could be no better symbol of its failure to protect human rights and political freedoms.
Pakistan and Bangladesh, with a nod from London and Washington, use the real threat of terrorism to justify abuses such as torture and
illegal detention. Kenya deliberately avoids accountability for serious abuses during the post-election violence in 2007. Cameroon, Uganda
and the Gambia intimidate human rights defenders and journalists.
Click here to read more »
President Jammeh vows to curb religious intolerance
10th September 2010
Muslims in The Gambia and elsewhere Friday observed the feast of Eid-ul-Fitr marking the end of a month long of fasting and
supplications. Eid prayers were conducted in all parts of the country under the directions of Imams in the respective towns and villages.
The congregation in the capital Banjul was led by the Imam Ratib Alhagie Cherno Alieu Mass Kah. The President Sheikh Professor Alhaji
Dr. Yahya Jammeh was among thousands of worshippers who converged at the King Fahad Mosque grounds for the Eid prayers. The
main highlight of the Eid prayers in Banjul is the traditional courtesy call on the President by the Muslim elders.
Speaking on the occasion President Jammeh congratulated all Muslims and non Muslims alike on the feast of Eid-ul-Fitr. The Gambian
leader said he was deeply touched by the remarks from the different speakers expressing his doubt and disbelief as to why the Muslim
Ummah continues to antagonize each other. He questioned why in the Holy Month of Ramadan some Muslims commit such heinous
crimes as to placing bombs to destroy human lives even though the period is regarded as that of forgiveness.
He described such people as criminals calling on good Muslims to wage a concerted war against them. The Gambian leader who
deplored such atrocities vowed that intolerance would never be condoned in The Gambia.
The onus he said lies with the Islamic Ummah to rise up to the challenge and fight evil elements who brand themselves as Muslims.
"True Muslims are not terrorists nor are they criminals", President Jammeh said adding that the Muslims would never be cowed by the
discriminative laws of the West.
He condemned attempts to burn copies of the Holy Quran arguing that it is unacceptable and false that the person who wants to do that
cannot be stopped because of his right to freedom of expression.
The Gambian leader vowed that anyone who burns a copy of the Quran or any country that allows any body to burn the Quran will live
to regret. He called on the Supreme Islamic Council to work towards promoting religious tolerance in the country and warned those who
seek to incite trouble in the name of religion to refrain.
Click here to read more »
10th September 2010
Muslims in The Gambia and elsewhere Friday observed the feast of Eid-ul-Fitr marking the end of a month long of fasting and
supplications. Eid prayers were conducted in all parts of the country under the directions of Imams in the respective towns and villages.
The congregation in the capital Banjul was led by the Imam Ratib Alhagie Cherno Alieu Mass Kah. The President Sheikh Professor Alhaji
Dr. Yahya Jammeh was among thousands of worshippers who converged at the King Fahad Mosque grounds for the Eid prayers. The
main highlight of the Eid prayers in Banjul is the traditional courtesy call on the President by the Muslim elders.
Speaking on the occasion President Jammeh congratulated all Muslims and non Muslims alike on the feast of Eid-ul-Fitr. The Gambian
leader said he was deeply touched by the remarks from the different speakers expressing his doubt and disbelief as to why the Muslim
Ummah continues to antagonize each other. He questioned why in the Holy Month of Ramadan some Muslims commit such heinous
crimes as to placing bombs to destroy human lives even though the period is regarded as that of forgiveness.
He described such people as criminals calling on good Muslims to wage a concerted war against them. The Gambian leader who
deplored such atrocities vowed that intolerance would never be condoned in The Gambia.
The onus he said lies with the Islamic Ummah to rise up to the challenge and fight evil elements who brand themselves as Muslims.
"True Muslims are not terrorists nor are they criminals", President Jammeh said adding that the Muslims would never be cowed by the
discriminative laws of the West.
He condemned attempts to burn copies of the Holy Quran arguing that it is unacceptable and false that the person who wants to do that
cannot be stopped because of his right to freedom of expression.
The Gambian leader vowed that anyone who burns a copy of the Quran or any country that allows any body to burn the Quran will live
to regret. He called on the Supreme Islamic Council to work towards promoting religious tolerance in the country and warned those who
seek to incite trouble in the name of religion to refrain.
Click here to read more »
Office of the ombudsman urged to comply with GPPA requirements
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Members of the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC) headed by the speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Elizabeth
Renner Tuesday urged the Office of the Ombudsman to comply with procurement requirements of the Gambia Public Procurement
Authority (GPPA).
According to the deputies, this move will without doubt help the office keep proper records of its financial expenses as indicated in both
the audit and account reports of the Office of the Ombudsman. The PAC members were responding to the financial reports of the
Office of the Ombudsman covering the period 2003 to 2007, presented by Alhaji B. Sowe, ombudsman of The Gambia and his financial
director, Samba Mbye.
Presenting his report to the Committee, Mbye said the Office of the Ombudsman is an independent institution created by an act of the
National Assembly, and mandated to receive complaints, investigate and make recommendations to the parties concerned. He adds: ?We
received 95 complaints out of which 24 were completed and six are pending. We received subvention every year for the operations of
the office. We are having only one utility vehicle and as such, we are limiting its use.
The government approved five vehicles for the office in 2008 but we received only two. We have opened a branch in Basse, Upper River
Region and we will soon open another one in Mansakonko in the Lower River Region, which will also cover the North Bank Region.?
Mbye explained that the Office of the Ombudsman was not properly audited over the years.
This prompted them to request the Office of the Auditor General to conduct an audit of the institution whose report is what they are
presenting to deputies. He went further to give a detailed overview of the aims and objectives of the Ombudsman Office, challenges
besetting the institution since its inception in 1999 to date, success stories and the way forward.
The first NAM to respond to the Ombudsman's report was Hon. Sellu Bah of Basse, who hailed the efforts of the institution in
requesting for an audit exercise to be carried out at their office. The Basse NAM urged them to redouble their operations in the area of
restoring human dignity and complaint resolution in line with the constitutional requirement.
Fabakary Tombong Jatta, majority leader and NAM for Serekunda East said he could not apprehend how an investigative institution can
operate with only one vehicle and expressed his desire to know the effectiveness of the Ombudsman, especially with regards to public
complaints. He advised the institution to comply with requirements of the GPPA, saying your independence does not mean that you are
not subject to limitations. You must comply with the GPPA procurement and financial rules and regulations. This will in effect, greatly
help your operations?.
Click here to read more »
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Members of the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC) headed by the speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Elizabeth
Renner Tuesday urged the Office of the Ombudsman to comply with procurement requirements of the Gambia Public Procurement
Authority (GPPA).
According to the deputies, this move will without doubt help the office keep proper records of its financial expenses as indicated in both
the audit and account reports of the Office of the Ombudsman. The PAC members were responding to the financial reports of the
Office of the Ombudsman covering the period 2003 to 2007, presented by Alhaji B. Sowe, ombudsman of The Gambia and his financial
director, Samba Mbye.
Presenting his report to the Committee, Mbye said the Office of the Ombudsman is an independent institution created by an act of the
National Assembly, and mandated to receive complaints, investigate and make recommendations to the parties concerned. He adds: ?We
received 95 complaints out of which 24 were completed and six are pending. We received subvention every year for the operations of
the office. We are having only one utility vehicle and as such, we are limiting its use.
The government approved five vehicles for the office in 2008 but we received only two. We have opened a branch in Basse, Upper River
Region and we will soon open another one in Mansakonko in the Lower River Region, which will also cover the North Bank Region.?
Mbye explained that the Office of the Ombudsman was not properly audited over the years.
This prompted them to request the Office of the Auditor General to conduct an audit of the institution whose report is what they are
presenting to deputies. He went further to give a detailed overview of the aims and objectives of the Ombudsman Office, challenges
besetting the institution since its inception in 1999 to date, success stories and the way forward.
The first NAM to respond to the Ombudsman's report was Hon. Sellu Bah of Basse, who hailed the efforts of the institution in
requesting for an audit exercise to be carried out at their office. The Basse NAM urged them to redouble their operations in the area of
restoring human dignity and complaint resolution in line with the constitutional requirement.
Fabakary Tombong Jatta, majority leader and NAM for Serekunda East said he could not apprehend how an investigative institution can
operate with only one vehicle and expressed his desire to know the effectiveness of the Ombudsman, especially with regards to public
complaints. He advised the institution to comply with requirements of the GPPA, saying your independence does not mean that you are
not subject to limitations. You must comply with the GPPA procurement and financial rules and regulations. This will in effect, greatly
help your operations?.
Click here to read more »
The Gambia: Gender and human rights defenders detained
Coalition for Human Rights in the Gambia
2010-10-14, Issue 500
Two prominent gender and human rights defenders, Dr Isatou Touray and Amie Bojang Sissoho were arrested and detained on Monday
11 October 2010 by Gambian security forces, kept in police custody at the Banjul Police station, and sent to jail on Tuesday 12 October
2010.
Dr. Isatou Touray and Amie Bojang Sissoho were called on Monday 11th October by an NIA officer to report to the Public Relations
Officer of the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA). Upon reporting to the NDEA office, they were directed to the Police
Headquarters and eventually detained without charges. Within hours, they proceeded to the Banjul Magistrate Court, where a ruling was
made for them to be detained until Tuesday the 12th October, 2010. On Tuesday the 12th, the two women went back to the magistrate
court for hearing on a bail application by the Defence Counsel. They were denied bail by the presiding magistrate and sent to the female
wing of the Central Prison in Mile2 for 8 (eight) days while investigation will be ongoing.
Dr. Isatou Touray, Executive Director and Amie Bojang Sissoho, Programme Coordinator, of the Gambia Committee for Traditional
Practices (GAMCOTRAP) have over the years been very active and effective in the promotion of gender, women and children's rights
particularly as they relate to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other discriminatory practices.
GAMCOTRAP is one of the lead organisations working in the area of women and girls empowerment, FGM and other harmful practices
that affect the lives and circumstances of women and girls in The Gambia. GAMCOTRAP's years of struggle and countless efforts have
contributed significantly to the development of women and girls in The Gambia and elsewhere and has led to over 100(one hundred)
circumcisers dropping their knives publicly and abandoning the practice.
The two ladies were detained since Monday 11th October, 2010 and allegedly charged with theft of 30 thousand Euros. They spent
Monday night in police custody, and their application for bail that was due to be decided on Tuesday the 12th has been refused and the
two women's rights defenders have been remanded for 8(eight) days.
In his ruling, the presiding magistrate, Mr Emmanuel Nkea noted that he was in a tight corner and found it difficult to decide because
both prosecution and defence have failed to elaborate on the issue of whether the defendants will use their influence to interfere with the
investigation of the police which the police say is incomplete. In the end he refused them bail and remanded them in custody at the
Female Wing of Mile Two Prisons for 8 (eight) days after which they will proceed to court for hearing. The Prosecutor had asked for
fourteen days to enable them complete their investigation.
However sources close to the office of the President have disclosed that the detention of the two ladies is an executive order.
It could be recalled that in May 2010 the office of the President set up a panel consisting of 7 (seven) NIA and Police Officers to
investigate GAMCOTRAP on the management of a Spanish donor fund from YOLOCAMBA SOLIDARIDAD. After a careful review of
the issues through statements obtained and relevant materials, the panel concluded that the allegation was unfounded. However, upon
submission of its findings, the Panel was dissolved and some of the members dismissed from the service of The Gambian Government.
A second Panel was set up and while GAMCOTRAP was awaiting the outcome of the second investigation, the two women were
remanded.
This is not the first time that GAMCOTRAP has been targeted by President Yaya Jammeh 's government . In 1999 the security of
members of GAMCOTRAP was threatened when the president publicly said that he could not guarantee the safety of activists who are
campaigning against FGM. This was followed by a policy directive from the then Director of Broadcasting of the Gambia Radio and
Television Services (GRTS) forbidding the staff from broadcasting on Gambia Radio and Television (state owned) messages that oppose
FGM, or mention the medical hazards. Instead, only messages in support of the practice should be aired on the state owned media.
Click here to read more>>
Coalition for Human Rights in the Gambia
2010-10-14, Issue 500
Two prominent gender and human rights defenders, Dr Isatou Touray and Amie Bojang Sissoho were arrested and detained on Monday
11 October 2010 by Gambian security forces, kept in police custody at the Banjul Police station, and sent to jail on Tuesday 12 October
2010.
Dr. Isatou Touray and Amie Bojang Sissoho were called on Monday 11th October by an NIA officer to report to the Public Relations
Officer of the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA). Upon reporting to the NDEA office, they were directed to the Police
Headquarters and eventually detained without charges. Within hours, they proceeded to the Banjul Magistrate Court, where a ruling was
made for them to be detained until Tuesday the 12th October, 2010. On Tuesday the 12th, the two women went back to the magistrate
court for hearing on a bail application by the Defence Counsel. They were denied bail by the presiding magistrate and sent to the female
wing of the Central Prison in Mile2 for 8 (eight) days while investigation will be ongoing.
Dr. Isatou Touray, Executive Director and Amie Bojang Sissoho, Programme Coordinator, of the Gambia Committee for Traditional
Practices (GAMCOTRAP) have over the years been very active and effective in the promotion of gender, women and children's rights
particularly as they relate to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other discriminatory practices.
GAMCOTRAP is one of the lead organisations working in the area of women and girls empowerment, FGM and other harmful practices
that affect the lives and circumstances of women and girls in The Gambia. GAMCOTRAP's years of struggle and countless efforts have
contributed significantly to the development of women and girls in The Gambia and elsewhere and has led to over 100(one hundred)
circumcisers dropping their knives publicly and abandoning the practice.
The two ladies were detained since Monday 11th October, 2010 and allegedly charged with theft of 30 thousand Euros. They spent
Monday night in police custody, and their application for bail that was due to be decided on Tuesday the 12th has been refused and the
two women's rights defenders have been remanded for 8(eight) days.
In his ruling, the presiding magistrate, Mr Emmanuel Nkea noted that he was in a tight corner and found it difficult to decide because
both prosecution and defence have failed to elaborate on the issue of whether the defendants will use their influence to interfere with the
investigation of the police which the police say is incomplete. In the end he refused them bail and remanded them in custody at the
Female Wing of Mile Two Prisons for 8 (eight) days after which they will proceed to court for hearing. The Prosecutor had asked for
fourteen days to enable them complete their investigation.
However sources close to the office of the President have disclosed that the detention of the two ladies is an executive order.
It could be recalled that in May 2010 the office of the President set up a panel consisting of 7 (seven) NIA and Police Officers to
investigate GAMCOTRAP on the management of a Spanish donor fund from YOLOCAMBA SOLIDARIDAD. After a careful review of
the issues through statements obtained and relevant materials, the panel concluded that the allegation was unfounded. However, upon
submission of its findings, the Panel was dissolved and some of the members dismissed from the service of The Gambian Government.
A second Panel was set up and while GAMCOTRAP was awaiting the outcome of the second investigation, the two women were
remanded.
This is not the first time that GAMCOTRAP has been targeted by President Yaya Jammeh 's government . In 1999 the security of
members of GAMCOTRAP was threatened when the president publicly said that he could not guarantee the safety of activists who are
campaigning against FGM. This was followed by a policy directive from the then Director of Broadcasting of the Gambia Radio and
Television Services (GRTS) forbidding the staff from broadcasting on Gambia Radio and Television (state owned) messages that oppose
FGM, or mention the medical hazards. Instead, only messages in support of the practice should be aired on the state owned media.
Click here to read more>>
| Click map for larger view |
| Click flag for Country Report |
Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh
President since 18 October 1996
President since 18 October 1996
Isatou Njie-Saidy
Vice President since 20 March 1997
Vice President since 20 March 1997
| TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS |
None reported
Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh
President since 18 October 1996
President since 18 October 1996
