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Momodou
Denmark
11833 Posts |
 Posted - 07 Nov 2006 : 14:33:54
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14 STILL DETAINED WITHOUT TRIAL
By Yaya Dampha
At least fourteen people have been languishing at the Mile Two Prisons for months now without being arraigned in court. Many are yet to be charged by the authorities. The detainees are:
1) Former CDS (Chief of Defence Staff) Vincent Jatta who was arrested on March 22nd, (2) Journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh arrested in July, (3) Abdoulie Kujabi (former Director General NIA) arrested on March 22nd, (4) Mustapha Lowe a College Student arrested on March 23rd, (5) Alieu Singhateh NIA Officer arrested in March 22nd, (6) Kemo Balajo NIA Officer arrested on March 22nd, (7) Foday Barry former NIA Officer, (8) Baba Saho former NIA Officer, (9) Momodou Dibba former NIA Officer and (10) Ngorr Secka NIA Officer arrested since April. (11) Bamba Manneh NIA officer, arrested in August. (12) Sergeant Buba Mendy Gambia National Guard arrested in March, (13) Sergeant Buba Jammeh of the State Guards arrested in May and (14) O/C Abdoulie Colley of the Gambia Police Force arrested in July. Reports have it that Chief Ebrima Manneh and Sergeant Buba Jammeh were arrested in connection with the Freedom Newspaper saga. The rest of the detainees were reportedly arrested for their purported involvement in the alleged 21st March coup. O/C Colley is believed to be arrested in connection with Casamance rebels.
All these people are been detained for months above the stipulated time indicated by The Gambian Constitution.
In order to ascertain why these people are still detained and why they are yet to appear in court or be released as stipulated in Section 19 (3)(b) and (5) of the constitution, this reporter visited the various security institutions like the Army, the Police and the National Intelligence Agency. The Public Relations Officer of the Gambia Armed Forces Captain Lamin Gano said he did not know why the two army officers are still detained. Gano said he was told that the matter is above the Army and that anytime the investigations are completed the army will be duly informed.
The Public Relations Officer of the Police Superintendent Aziz Bojang told this reporter to meet him in his office. This reporter went to his office several times and was always told that he is busy on meetings.
When this reporter called the National Intelligence Agency and asked for Captain Lamin Saine he was told to come in person. However when he went to their headquarters he was told that he was out and would not be available. This reporter further sought audience with the Director General of the NIA who was said to be busy and could not speak to him.
About two and a half months ago the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Mr. Fangbenle informed reporters that Mr. Foday Barry, Ngorr Secka, Abdoulie Kujabi, Rtd Colonel Vincent Jatta and others were charged with felony, but they are yet to appear in any court of law while still being detained at the Central Prisons.
Journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh was arrested by two NIA officials from the Daily Observer. No official statement is issued on why he is arrested and where he is being held.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No.95/06, 3-5 November, 2006
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Newfy
Western Samoa
462 Posts |
Posted - 09 Nov 2006 : 02:32:11
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Thank you Momodou for this update.
Theres things some of us can do which is to write letters about this
Amnesty International - Belgium has an update where to send letters.
Jack are you there?:) Pls see attached. Every life matters. Mahalo.
http://www.amnestyinternational.be/doc/article9038.html
GAMBIA : 10 militaires / Released : Mariam Denton and Lamin Fatty
AFR 27/030/2006
Further Information on UA 69/06 (AFR 27/001/2006, 28 March 2006) and follow-ups (AFR 27/002/2006, 6 April 2006 ; AFR 27/003/2006, 10 April 2006 ; AFR 27/005/2006, 25 April 2006 ; AFR 27/006/2006, 31 May 2006) -
Incommunicado detention/ fear of torture or ill-treatment New concern : Legal concern
GAMBIA : Major Sang Pierre Mendy (m) Captain Muhammed Jah (also known as Abdoukarim Jah) (m) Captain Bunja Darboe (m) Lt Wassa Camara (m) Ngorr Secka (m), acting Deputy Director General, National Intelligence Agency Abdoulie Kujabi (m), former NIA Director Kemo Balajo (m), former NIA senior officer Lt-Colonel Vincent Jatta (m), former chief of staff Foday Barry (m), NIA Director of Operations Buba Saho (m), NIA official
Released : Mariam Denton (f), lawyer Lamin Fatty (m), reporter with The Independent
04 October 2006
Lawyer Mariam Denton, who had been detained in connection with the alleged coup attempt on 21 March, was released without charge on 25 July. An attempt by the prosecutor in her trial to have her charged with concealment of treason failed. It was reported that one of her clients gave her information about the coup attempt, which she refused to divulge.
Amnesty International has learnt that Lamin Fatty, a reporter for The Independent newspaper, was released on bail on 12 June. He had been held at the NIA headquarters for over two months, and had no access to a lawyer during his detention. On 14 May, he was charged with publishing false information, but was not brought to court. He is now facing trial before the Kanifing Magistrate’s Court in Serrekunda.
There are now known to be 22 people detained in relation to the alleged coup in March. Eight detainees (four military officers and four civilians) have been charged with treason. They include Captain Bunja Darboe and Lieutenant Wassa Camara. Another six military officers and one civilian have been charged with concealment of treason. This group includes Major Sang Pierre Mendy and Captain Muhammed Jah (also known as Abdoukarim Jah). The trial of all 15 men has now been adjourned until 10 October because the court is in recess.
Another group of seven of security officers is charged with conspiracy to commit treason. This group includes former Director of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Foday Barry, former NIA Deputy Director General Ngorr Secka, former NIA Director General Abdoulie Kujabi, former Chief of Defence Vincent Jatta, and former NIA Directors Baba Saho and Kemo Balajo. Amnesty International currently has no information on the progress of this case.
On 18 July, four of the six defence lawyers representing the defendants charged with treason reportedly withdrew from the trial with the consent of their clients, due to their concerns that the trial may not be fair. The lawyers were representing six of those charged with treason. These defendants are now potentially without legal representation, and may find it difficult to engage new lawyers due to the high-profile, politically sensitive nature of the case. Amnesty International is concerned that all 22 detainees are likely to face unfair trial and may be sentenced to death.
RECOMMENDED ACTION : Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English or your own language :
welcoming the release of Mariam Denton, and the release on bail of Lamin Fatty ;
urging the government to ensure legal representation and a fair trial under the terms of international fair trial standards for all 22 detainees facing charges ;
calling on the government to investigate the allegation that the trial of the 15 people charged with treason and concealment of treason may be unfair ;
urging the authorities to give all the detainees regular access to their families, lawyers and any medical attention they may require ;
requesting details of the progress of the case against those charged with conspiracy to commit treason ;
urging the authorities to ensure that all those charged with crimes that carry the death penalty have adequate legal representation at all stages of the proceedings against them.
APPEALS TO :
President and Minister of Defence Captain (retd.) Alhaji Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh Office of the President State House, Banjul Republic of the Gambia Fax : + 220 4227 034 Salutation : Your Excellency
Minister of Interior M. Baboucarr Jatta Ministry of Interior 71 Dobson Street, Banjul Gambia Fax : + 220 420 1320 Salutation : Dear Minister
Attorney General and Secretary of State for Justice M. Sheikh Tijan Hydara Department of State for Justice and Attorney General’s Chambers Marina Parade Banjul Republic of the Gambia Fax : + 220 4225 352 Salutation : Dear Secretary of State
Ambassade de la République de Gambie Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 126 1050 Bruxelles Fax : 02.646.32.77
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 15 November 2006.
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