Gambia: I CHALLENGE THE GAMIAN JUSTICE MINISTER ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE IN TH COUNTRY I CHALLENGE THE GAMIAN JUSTICE MINISTER ON THE HUMANRIGHTS ABUSE IN TH COUNTRY-Yaya Dampha The justice minister of the Gambia Edward Gomez  in his recent open refusal to accept the realities that serious Human rights violation are perpetrated by the agents of the Gambia government against real and perceived opponents  on a routine basis. Therefore, in my capacity as the coordinator of HUMRA-Human Rights for All and as a Gambian with good knowledge of the Human rights situation in the Gambia and above as a Human with uncompromising stands against all forms of injustice, I take it up the justice Gomez that he was only out to defend the  indefensible  and thereby exposing his own lack of respect for Human rights and justice. Minister Gomez  I am going to challenge you on facts and I will show you evidences of Human rights violations and abuses demonstrated by your government during its decade and half years of rule. It is a open fact that once people are in custody in the  Gambia , they are susceptible to a whole range of violations including unlawful detention, torture while  in detention, unfair trial enforced disappearance and extra judicial killings.  This are well researched  and documented reports  of human rights violations following the March 2006 alleged coup and the post coup period. I will now proceed to bring cases of human rights violations and abuses case by case and mark you these are going to be just a fraction. Gomez get ready am ready to expose your hypocrisy in your attempt to defend injustice. DO NOT WORRY YOU HAVE YOUR RIGHTS TO REFUTE THESE FACTS. THEN HISTORY SHALL BE OUR JUDGE! In November 1994 the following officers and soldiers were rounded up and executed in a real military manner. This happened after an alleged planned coup which was said to be led by Lt. Basiru Barrow. Those killed were: Lt. Basiru Barrow, Lt. Abdoulie  Dott  Faal,Lt.Bakary Manneh, Lt. Gibril Seye, Lt. Lamin Darboe, Lt.Buba Jammeh, Lt.Abdoulie Bah(chopping)Sgt. Fafa  Nyang, Sgt. Basiru Camara, Sgt. Ebou Ceesay and Cadet officer Amadou Sillah.  Justice Gomez punishing people accuse of committing a crime or an offence without the due process of law. Is that not a violation of rights ? In the year 2006 dozen of students were killed on the streets of Sere kunda  and Brikama-Ba by soldiers of the Gambia national army. The offence they committed of exercising their constitutional rights to demonstrate against the killing of their colleague Ebrima Barry by members of the fire service of the Gambia and the raping of a school girl during by another security officer during inter school athletics. Justice Gomez how do you interpret  this ? In December 2004 a prominent journalist Deyda  Hydara was killed in a shooting drive and four six years today his killers are still at large, mainly due to your government ,s lack of interest in investigating the matter. Justice Gomez what is your interpretation of this one ? In July 226 journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh was arrested from the offices of the Daily Observer were he works by members of National inteligency agents   form   Bakau police station. His former colleagues confirmed this to researchers. I Yaya Dampha begin_of_the_skype_highlighting     end_of_the_skype_highlighting saw Manneh under police escort at Fatoto police station and I went to the police headquarters  and told the public relations officer of police superintendent Aziz Bojang about it. He said he was not going to comment on the issue. In 2007 I testified and give evidence of my sighting of the missing journalist Manneh at the ECOWAS court in Abuja together with brother Ousman Darboe who was present when the agents came in to arrest Manneh. And Ousman knows these agents personally. The ECOWAS court ruled that the Gambia government is  responsible for the disappearance of  the young man. The court subsequently ordered the Gambia government to produce him and pay compensation to his family. This regional court order is still being flouted by your government  . Justice Gomez what is interpretation of this too ? On October 6 2006 I was arrested along with two non-Gambian   amnesty  International staff I was travelling with during a field visit. WE were arrested in Basse by plain clothes  officers who did not immediately identify themselves.  I was accused of being a spy only because i investigated the disappearances of people in the country and reports my findings  on newspapers . This was what brought the amnesty staff for a fact finding mission. I took them to Sarengai were we saw Ousman Ramboa Jatta and interviewed him on how long he have been there. Rambo and school master Tamba Fofana were released after we saw them. And the price we paid was unlawful detention .Is this a respect to human rights justice Gomez? In March 2006 the then director general of NIA Daba Marenah, Lieutenant Ebou Lowe,2nd Lieutenant Aliue Ceesay Regimental Sgt. Alpha Bah and Staff Sgt. Manlafi Corr were arrested on suspicion of plotting a coup. Initially they were detained at mile 2 and held without charg,then on the 6 of April government reports these five men were being transferred to Janja bureh prison when their car crashed in to a ditch and the vehicle nearly summersult . All five men are said to have escaped. There has been no sign of them since their alleged accident. The government never talks of them, raising the fear that they have become victims of enforced disappearance or  extrajudically  executed . Is this what your government calls respect for human rights? The following persons were arrested by agents of the Gambia government some for many years . They are still being detained and have no access to their families and lawyers since their arrest. They are: Kanyiba Kanyi of Bonto Village, Mace Jammeh , Haruna Jammeh all of Kanilai Village, Momodou  Lamin Nyassi former chief of Kansala Fonnie, Buba Sanyang of Kankuntu Village Fonnie, Ndongo Mboob of  Bwiam  Fonnie, Jisagi (Jisaja) Kujabi of Dobong, Andoulie Njie of Fagi kunda, Aliue Lowe of Fagi Kunda, Navy chief Sarjo Fofana , Sgt. Sam Kambai, Alfusainey Jammeh of Kanilai,Bakary Gassama formerly of the NIA, Ebou Jarju a steward at the state house, Corporal  Mamat Nyang of state guard,warden Aliue Camara of Sinteti fonni   and many more. Now I call you injustice minister Edu Gomez tell me where all this is happening is where you referring to as respecters of human rights. Or y be you were busy collecting monies from your clients and not bordered to follow the realities on the ground or is it because of your  insensitiveness justice . Finally, I am prepared to challenge you at all levels to proof to you that there is no human rights in the Gambia , “a country where people do whatever they can to avoid getting arrested because once you  are arrested you are out of the protection of the law and are subject to all kinds human rights violations from the police , army and NIA”. In your defense you may quote the 1997 constitution to support your case, right we all know that that constitution is one of  beautifully  written documents that your government ever produce. Our problem is for your government to respect what is in that constitution and further repeal  all the bad laws that are enacted by our rubber stamp National assembly.  I am sure after reading this piece with all your support for the dictatorial regime you will come to your senses and advice your government on issues of promoting human rights. This may not be easy for you but you will be doing yourself a great deal because the ink of history is rolling and your children and children, s children will not be happy to read your witched role in defending injustice while wearing  that gown of a justice. I awaits for your  respond  . In the service of Humanity, Yaya Dampha begin_of_the_skype_highlighting     end_of_the_skype_highlighting Coordinator –HUMRA Sweden