We
are concerned that two weeks after their detention, two Gambian journalists
continue to be held incommunicado, with no access to family members or lawyers.
Momodou
Sabally, the head of the Gambia Radio and Television Services and Bakary Fatty,
a reporter for the same organisation, have been
detained by the National Intelligence Agency in Banjul since 8 November
with no charges laid against them.
Another
journalist who was arrested on 10 November was freed after six days without any
charges.
A
number of other people, including a magistrate, an opposition supporter and a
former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, also remain in incommunicado
detention.
The
latest detentions come as 30 members of the Gambia’s main opposition party are
serving out three-year prison sentences following their participation in
peaceful protests in mid-April. Incommunicado detention without charge is a
clear violation of the Gambian constitution, which requires detainees to be
brought before court within 72 hours, and of the country’s international human
rights obligations.
In
the run up to the presidential elections of 1 December, it is particularly
crucial that the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and
association are fully respected.
The
detention of journalists is likely to intimidate the media in general – which
is particularly damaging in an electoral context.
We
call on the Government to release all those who are being detained for their
exercise of these rights.
We
are also deeply concerned about the continued failure of the authorities to
investigate the deaths in custody of two members of the opposition, Ebrima Solo
Krummah and opposition leader Solo Sandeng earlier this year.
