The British High Commission has expressed deep concern over what it said was the refusal of access to the Supreme Court to representatives from the EU Delegation and British High Commission to observe the passing of judgment in the appeal case involving former CDS Tamba and six others on Friday.
In a statement issued to the media on Friday, the British High Commission said its diplomatic observers were refused access to the court room.
Below we reproduce the full text of the statement:
The British High Commission representing the EU locally in The Gambia issues the following statement in agreement with the EU Heads of
“The European Union recalls the statement of 16 July 2010 by the spokesperson of the HR/VP Catherine Ashton expressing her grave concern over the death sentence pronounced against the seven persons accused of treason and conspiracy, and urges The Gambia to uphold its commitment to exercising its moratorium on the death penalty.
“The British High Commission representing the EU locally in The Gambia expresses deep concern over the refusal of access to the Supreme Court to representatives from the EU Delegation and British High Commission to observer the passing of judgment on 19 October 2012 on the 7 persons sentenced to death for treason. The diplomatic observers were refused access to the Courtroom while members of the public and press were admitted. The refusal of access is contrary to the provisions in the Gambian Constitution that Court proceedings should be in public.”
