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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Dec 2006 : 18:17:43
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GPU Marks Deyda’s Death
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
The brutal killing of Deyda Hydara, Managing Editor of The Point Newspaper, two years ago was on Saturday 16th December observed at a symposium at the Alliance Franco Gambienne with a call for an end to impunity.
The symposium was organised by the Gambia Press Union.
Participants from the media and civil society noted the government’s failure to bring arsonists, attackers and murderer of journalists to book.
They voiced out in particular that the killing of Deyda, the arson attacks on the Independent Newspaper, Radio 1 FM and the house of Ebrima Sillah of the BBC are some of the atrocities for which the culprits are not yet brought to book. They added that the continuous detention of journalists without trial, the amendment of the Newspaper Act and the Criminal Code are part of the restrictions on journalists to do their work effectively.
However, an appeal was made to the killers of Deyda to come out and declare themselves.
“You can run but you cannot hide. You have killed Deyda but you cannot kill democracy and Freedom of Expression,” said a speaker.
Note: Foroyaa will feature the comments made by various speakers in detail in our next edition.
Meanwhile, a press release issued by the GPU to mark the occasion, described the killing of Deyda as a brutal attack on Freedom of Expression. The release urged the President to heed to his previous call to set up a commission of inquiry or appoint an independent expatriate to investigate the killing of Deyda. The release also called on the government to repeat all laws that impede press freedom and Freedom of Expression. It further noted that in arresting and detaining media personnel the executive should observe the due process of the law.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 113/2006, 18-19 December, 2006
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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