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Momodou
Denmark
11735 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Dec 2006 : 00:21:43
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Freedom Of Expression Rapporteur Appeals To Gambia
By Fabakary B Ceesay
The special rapporteur on Freedom of Expression in Africa, under the African Commission on Human and People’s Right (ACHPR), Commissioner Pansy TTakala, has indicated in her report to the commission that she had sent an appeal to the Government of The Gambia in June, in which she brought to the attention of the Government concerns relating to the detention of three Gambian journalists.
In her appeal to The Gambia Government, she recalled The Gambia’s obligations under the applicable standards of international human rights law and requested information from the government on the specific charges, if any that had been brought against the three individuals, as well as any information relevant to these cases that the government wished to provide her with. This special rapporteur regrets that, at the time of writing the report, she was yet to receive any response from the Government of The Gambia.
These sentiments were included in her special report to the 40th ordinary session of the Commission that is being held in Banjul from 15th – 29th November 2006. According to the report, the three journalist are, Pa Modou Faal, who worked for the state-owned Gambia Radio and television Service (GRTS), Mr. Musa Sheriff a reporter for the Independent Magazine, Gambia News and Report and Mr. Malick Mboob, a former Daily Observer journalist. According to the report, the special rapporteur had been informed that the trio were arrested and detained at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) headquarters, on 26th May 2006, as part of a crackdown on the U.S based new site Freedom Newspaper. The report indicated that they were arrested after their names and addresses appeared on a list of alleged Freedom Newspaper contributors that was circulated on an email list hosted by the private Gambia post web site and reprinted in the Daily Observer. On the 25th May 2006, the Police reportedly summoned everyone who appeared on the list, which identified local journalists an exiled Gambians, as well as government employees who allegedly served as sources for the Freedom Newspaper. While she was informed that Pa Modou Faal and Musa Sheriff were released on 30th May 2006 without charge, the rapporteur learned that Malick Mboob remained in NIA custody for a long time. The special rapporteur also addressed the situation of Mr. Lamin Cham, a local journalist working for the BBC, who was reportedly arrested on the 30th May 2006 by Gambian Security Officers. Although his name has not reportedly featured on the above mentioned list, it was believed that Mr. Cham, former Editor of the Daily Observer, was also taken for questioning in connection with the crackdown.
The special rapporteur, commissioner TTakala, also raised her concern about the situation of Mr. Lamin Fatty, a journalist for the newspaper, The Independent, who had reportedly been in NIA custody before and is believed to be facing at least one criminal charge of publishing false information. In general the special rapporteur notes with concern that the right to freedom of expression is still not a reality for many individuals in Africa. “Indeed, there have been several reports of alleged violations of the right in a number of African State during the period under review.”
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No.106/2006, 29-30 November, 2006
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