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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
 Posted - 17 Jun 2011 : 14:46:05
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Dailynews Editorial: Commission of Enquiry into Disappearance/Killing
Friday, June 17, 2011
Some few weeks ago, this paper ran a plainspoken editorial condemning the ever intensifying uncalled for security brutality resulting to some deaths, especially in recent times.
Today’s editorial focuses on arbitrary arrests and detentions, disappearances without trace and killings by unknown assailants.
These ugly incidents have all become too common in this new, but different Gambia – a Gambia, whose government seemingly ignores avowed responsibility to provide protection to the lives and properties of its citizens and residents, while pre-occupied with clamping-down on gossipers at the market and individual citizens who would pick on the president’s private pocket, forgetting the nation’s.
Readers would recall that this paper on Monday featured a story, which states that The Gambia government has informally agreed to open up independent investigation into the unsettled murder of our dear Deyda Hydara and colleague Ebrima Chief Manneh, who went missing since 2006.
Though a good move, The Daily News does not have the heart to commend The Gambia government for agreeing to do something, which should have been done some years ago.
Our understanding is that The Gambia government capitulated to U.K.’s demand to either agree to the effect or it expands on withholding its aid money - a clear indication of The Gambia government’s lack of concern for its people.
This is very embarrassing on the part of government of The Gambia who shuts ears to the cries and closed eyes to torrential tears that have been tracking down on the cheeks of its genuine citizens for many, many years.
The aged parents of Chief Ebrima Manneh, for instance have been hoping against hope everyday in anticipation to once again reunite with their beloved son.
After years of fruitless search, the aged father had once shown despair: “I leave everything in the hands of God.”
However, as the saying goes: ‘Better Late than Never,’ we hope, no foot dragging will follow the informal agreement, though, we are yet to get government’s response on the revelations by Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
And we also hope that The Gambia government will set up a commission of enquiry into all other reports of disappearances, such as Kanyiba Kanyi, the five soldiers, Daba Marenah and co, and many others.
The paper also wishes to remind the state of its duty to respect the constitution.
It is out of place to detain suspect/s beyond 72 hours maximum detention period, but it appears that The Gambia government is treating rule breaking as a pastime.
Source: Dailynews
Related Topic: Gambia Agrees to Investigate Deyda’s Murder, Manneh’s Disappearance
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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