6/7/16: Meeting on Human Rights in the Gambia

Posted onAuthorHumanRightsAPPG

The All-Party Parliamentary Human Rights Group (PHRG) and the Africa All-Party Parliamentary Group held this Parliamentary panel discussion to address concerns about the current human rights situation in the Gambia.

We would like to thank Anne McLaughlin MP for chairing this meeting.

The event’s speakers were:

  • Stephen Cockburn– Deputy Regional Director, West and Central Africa, Amnesty International (“SC”);
  • Lucy Freeman– CEO, Media Legal Defence Initiative (“LF”);
  • Alieu Badara Ceesay– Founder, Campaign for Human Rights in the Gambia UK (“AC”).

The main points raised by the speakers were:

  • The Gambia consistently ignores regional treaties and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)’ court judgements. This undermines regional human rights efforts. (SC)
  • There has been a significant exodus of the Gambian population, who currently make up a third of the total refugee population arriving in Italy. (SC)
  • In April, peaceful demonstrations calling for electoral reform were brutally repressed. Dozens of people were detained, some of whom have been released but a number are due to go on trial. (SC)
  • Since the last elections in 2011, freedom of expression and association has been severely restricted, creating an increasing climate of fear amongst civil society. (SC)
  • Journalists in the Gambia live in fear of prosecution, murder, torture and disappearance. 110 journalists have been forced into exile since 1994, when President Jammeh came to power. (LF)
  • Journalists, but also student union members, members of the Gambian Bar Association, press and workers’ unions and religious leaders have also been targeted in the crackdown. (AC)
  • The UK Government should raise its concerns through its Embassy in the Gambia. The UK is one of only a few countries with direct representation in Gambia. (SC)
  • Several human rights cases have been brought to the ECOWAS court, but the Gambian Government tends to disregard their judgements. (LF)
  • The UK Government should do more to prioritise the Gambia, particularly by designating it as one of their ‘Countries of Concern’, and securing a resolution on the deteriorating situation at the United Nations Human Rights Council. The UK could also consider pushing for a post of UN Special Rapporteur on the Gambia to be created. (AC)

The PHRG continues to raise concerns about human rights in the Gambia with relevant interlocutors, including the UK Government. Following the meeting, an EDM on this issue was tabled.