Gambian woman forced into exile for posting video of police brutality

Minah Manneh, a women's rights activist in Gambia, was forced to leave her own country after publishing a video of police brutality. Minah's so-called crime was to post disturbing footage on her Facebook page of a policeman caning a schoolgirl.

Minah Manneh, a Gambian women’s rights activist, filmed disturbing footage of a policeman caning a schoolgirl and then posted it on her Facebook page. This courageous act has forced the 23-year-old to flee her own country as Gambian law expressly forbids its citizens from uploading videos that could "tarnish the state's image".

On March 18, the young activist saw a Gambian police officer reprimanding a group of schoolchildren he had caught fighting on a public road in the country's capital Banjul. She took our her mobile phone and filmed the officer as he singled out a pupil for punishment and began to hit her with his baton.



According to Minah, nothing can justify the policeman's behaviour. The gutsy activist even challenged the officer's actions and recorded the conversation that ensued between the two.

[You can display French-language subtitles on the video below by clicking on the third button from the right, at the bottom right-hand corner of the screen]

When it became clear that the officer felt no remorse for his actions, Minah decided to post the video on her Facebook page. But she didn't stop there: she also decided to send the video directly to the country's authorities by using an instant messaging application.

Screenshot of a message sent by Minah Manneh to Gambian authorities using WhatsApp.

A €64,000 fine or 15 years in prison for broadcasting the video

When she posted the video online, the young activist broke a law ratified by the Gambian government on July 5, 2013. The law, which was roundly denounced by human rights organisations, states that any internet user responsible for:

"Spreading of false news against the government or public officials [...] will be subjected to a fine of 3 million Dalasi (approximately 64,000 Euros) or 15 years in prison."

By broadcasting a video of a policeman, a representative of the state, the young activist had put herself in the crosshairs of lawmakers. Less than 24 hours after uploading the footage, she received a call from a Gambian soldier asking her to present herself at the nearest police station to be questioned. The next day, her family reported her missing. With no word from Minah, human rights organisations joined in the search by convening a support committee and asking Gambian authorities to help find her.

On March 21, more than 48 hours after her disappearance, Minah finally posted a message that only her friends could see on her Facebook account to let them know that she was safe. She had been detained for two days. After being released, Minah had decided to leave the country to avoid being imprisoned or having to pay the exorbitant fine. She is no longer on the African continent.

Message posted by Minah Manneh on her Facebook page telling her friends that she was safe but had to leave Gambia for her own personal safety.

Gambian authorities have 'nothing to say' about the situation
FRANCE 24 asked Gambia's minister of information and communication, Sherriff Bojang, to comment on Minah's case. This is what he said:

"The government has nothing to say about the situation, which I believe is a non-problem. Some people have the habit of broadcasting all kinds of absurd allegations in the pursuit of their own malicious interests. Gambia is a far more just society than France and President Jammeh, comparatively speaking, has done more for children's rights than any other leader in Africa and elsewhere. Statistics from the United Nations prove it."

For its part, the Banjul police service didn't respond to FRANCE 24's repeated requests for an interview.

Minah had never been directly troubled by Gambian authorities in the past, yet she is widely known for the work she has carried out in favour of women's rights with an NGO, Think Young Women. She's on the front line in the fight against female genital mutilation, an extremely sensitive subject in Gambia.

Source: http://observers.france24.com/

Interior Minister Sonko Panics Amidst Student Protest

“…be law abiding and stay away from violence, be responsible and cherish the prevailing peace.” the Interior Minister Ousman Sonko told University of Gambia students.

Hundreds of students of the University of The Gambia yesterday took to the streets to protest against the introduction of a new grading system.

The students, comprising mainly second, third, and fourth-year undergraduates, set out for a march from the law faculty in Kanifing to the ministry of higher Education in Kotu to express their grievances.

Chanting ‘WE NEED OUR GRADES BACK’, they were however intercepted at Kairaba Avenue by the minister for Higher Education, Dr Abubacarr Senghore, who pleaded with them to return to the campus for dialogue.

Besides Minister Senghore, three other cabinet ministers – Basic Education, Energy, and Interior – also hurried to the university grounds to attend to the highly charged meeting, which was characterised with boos and heckles from the students.

The new grading system raises the score for distinction from 80 percent to 90 percent. The demonstration came after the university authority rejected the students’ demands to review the application of the new grading.

“The students support standards, we support the new grading system, but the problem of the students is the way the new grading system is applied,” Mr Bakary Fatty, a student leader, told The Standard at the scene of the protest.

He argued that applying the new grading system across the board will be tantamount to a breach on the part of the UTG. He said it should instead apply to new students while allowing the current students to continue with the old grading system.

“Some students collected their transcripts only to discover that there are two grading systems on one transcript,” Fatty said. “That means they will spend four years at the university working hard to earn a degree and spend their entire life defending that degree because there are inconsistencies in the grading systems.”

The student leader advanced that after initial complaints, the senate had met and agreed to revert to the old grading system, but Vice Chancellor Kah returned from a trip and reversed the senate’s decision.

“So, some students are saying that he was trying to use the senate as a rubber stamp,” the law student added.

Addressing the students, Vice Chancellor Kah defended the new grading system, explaining the mechanics of it. He clarified that it is neither retroactive nor punitive and emphasised that the new grading system is in line with international standards and students should rather work harder to better prepare themselves for life after university.

“I am tasked with the responsibility of building a world-class university and this measure is about the integrity and quality of the university and those are non-negotiable,” he told the students.

Meanwhile, the protest against the new grading system has unravelled a host of other issues that students were not happy with. This includes the UTG’s policy of 10 percent annual increment of tuition. A protester argued that the justification offered by the UTG does not hold water. She complained: “They said it is because of the inflation, but you do not need to be a student of economics to know that inflation in this country is averaged at 6 per cent. So, why the 10 per cent increment?”

However, Prof Kah pointed out that the university has in fact been too lenient on the students regarding the tuition as defaulting in payment is commonplace.

“Contrary to the misunderstanding, this university does not in fact increase tuition,” he said, noting that the increment is in line with the hikes in the prices of products and services.

Speaking earlier, Mr Cherno Barry, the permanent Secretary, ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, explained to the students the steps his ministry had taken to address the issue, which included convening a meeting with the university governing council.

A one-time lecturer, he informed them that the university is on a journey and much of what was provided for the current students was a dream for their predecessors.

Also speaking, Minister Senghore, informed the students in clear terms that the higher education ministry does not ‘micro manage’ the university. He however assured that their concerns would be looked into.

The minister for Interior, Mr Ousman Sonko, advised the students to be law abiding and stay away from violence. He urged them to be responsible and cherish the prevailing peace.

Source: Standard News

‘I’ve Not Exploited Gambian Girls’

Mohamed Ali Raif Fneiche

Gambian-Lebanese businessman has denied trafficking in person charges brought against him in court.

Mohamed Ali Raif Fneiche, Sulayman Bojang, Momodou Bojang and Alasan Jallow were accused of conspiring to recruit 19 Gambian girls for the purpose of exploitation. Only Momodou Bojang appeared before Magistrate Samsideen Conteh of Banjul. He was granted bail in the sum of D250,000. The case was adjourned indefinitely, with the prosecution applying for bench warrant to be issued against other accused persons.

But the principal accused has denied the story in totality. “I don’t know how this accusation of prostitution came. It’s not true and I am speaking so truth be known,” Mr. Fneiche told Kairo News. “All these girls came through international airport; no one forced them to travel. Also according to government labour and immigration requirement, they have to sign a contract with their employers,” he said.

“This story started since 2012 when I brought one woman [daughter of Momodou Bojang, one of the accused persons] to help my wife here in Lebanon. Since then many of these girls want to work as domestic workers in Lebanon. I have since facilitated the travel of more than 50 girls. The girls asked me to bring them here that’s why I brought them. That’s all I have done,” he said, insisting he had no personal beef with the girls.

Mr. Fneiche said all he knew was that five girls “created their own problems in 2014. They left their wok and visited Gambian consular who advised them to stay and work which is better for them. They wanted to go back but what they fail to understand is that they came here on contract which is binding. The girls also met some Gambian officials who left them here. These disgruntled girls are still working in Lebanon.

“If the story of exploitation or prostitution is true, why are these girls still working in Lebanon. It’s against the law in Lebanon to bring girls here for prostitution. Lebanese law forbids these girls to go out by themselves at night.”

Mr. Fneiche is worried about his image being soiled for wrong reasons. “I have created employment opportunities for these girls. I even met these disgruntled girls more than five times and asked them to stay. I have brought in a lot of girls here whose employment package include full insurance, phone and clothing facilities.

“You can contact the girls themselves or their families in The Gambia. You will then see where the truth lies. Some of the girls who came here have left after their contract expires. They want to come back. You can even talk to the girls who cause their own problems. I am ready to do anything to clear my name. I am a very clean Gambian who has never disobeyed the law. I have my family in The Gambia. Even my name is not spelt out correctly. I don’t know where they get this story.”

Ends

Source www.kaironews.com

UTG Students Want Prof. Kah Out

Prof. Muhammadou Kah

Kairo News has just got news that the angry students of the University of The Gambia are bent on sending the Vice Chanchellor, Muhammadou Kah, home.

The students have been fuming over the increment of tuition fees, the sudden changes to the grading system and the appalling general condition at the West African country’s only university.

“The students are ready to send Vice Chanchellor Kah home,” a trusted source told said. “Students say there will be no turning back. They have threatened to halt all lectures if their demands have ot been met.”

Kairo News has also been informed that Faculty of Law students are more adamant in seeing their demands being met. “It is a serious issue. The faculty of law are fighting it hard to see all their demands being met,” our impeccable source said, adding that majority of the university staff have thrown their weight behind demanding students. “They applaud the students’ move and even call it a wonderful one.”

source www.kaironews.com

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Gambia fails to heed UN warnings on deteriorating human rights

                                                  Dictator Jammeh of The Gambia

Gambia has effectively thumbed its nose to the international community after it failed to accept a raft of recommendations to address its deteriorating human rights situation, Amnesty International said today.
 
The government of Gambia only accepted 93 of the 171 recommendations at the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva. 
 
“The significant number of rejections on key human rights issues demonstrates the government’s weak commitment to addressing its deplorable human rights situation - including unjustified restrictions on the right to freedom of expression, enforced disappearances and the use of torture to stifle dissent,” said Sabrina Mahtani, Amnesty International’s West Africa Researcher.
 
“Human rights defenders, journalists and lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and intersex people have all been targeted, and Gambia’s human rights situation will continue to deteriorate unless the international community takes action to engage Gambia to strongly adopt the recommendations it rejected.”
 
Gambia provided responses to 171 questions, comments and recommendations made by more than 60 countries during the UPR, urging the country to take greater steps to promote and protect human rights.
 
Despite adjourning the UPR adoption last week at the last minute, the government disappointingly did not send a delegation to Geneva, instead opting to submit its responses in writing.  
 
Gambia did not accept recommendations concerning the ratification of the UN Convention against Torture, recommended by 13 states, as well as the abolition of the death penalty. The government also rejected non-criminalisation of sexual orientation or gender identity and co-operation with Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council. Likewise, it rejected recommendations to amend legislation to remove restrictions on freedom of expression.   
 
The human rights situation in the country has severely worsened since Gambia’s UPR review in October 2014. The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture released a report in March 2014 highlighting the high risk of torture, arbitrary arrest and enforced disappearances in the country. 
 
The Special Rapporteur on Torture and the Special Rapporteur on Extra-Judicial Executions visited Gambia in November 2014. During their mission they were refused access to the Security Wing of Mile 2 Central Prison in the capital Banjul, where death row prisoners are held. These restrictions are unprecedented since the establishment of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Torture 30 years ago. 
 
President Yahya Jammeh signed an amendment to the Criminal Code in October 2014 which introduces even harsher sentences for LGBTI people who face a life sentence for “aggravated homosexuality”. This was despite strong recommendations against this during the UPR review. At least 14 people were arrested in November and December 2014 because of their presumed sexual orientation.
 
Gambian law enforcement agencies have arrested at least 30 people since the beginning of January 2015; relatives of those suspected of being involved in the failed coup on 30 December 2014. Some people have been released but other family members have not been heard from in almost three months and it is unclear how many remain in incommunicado detention.
 
On 14 January 2015, President Jammeh announced his government’s willingness to work closely with the UN to investigate the events of 30 December. On 28 February 2015, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights issued a resolution to invite the Commission to conduct a fact-finding mission. However, no independent investigation has taken place. A court martial has been set up to try six soldiers supposedly involved in the coup. The trial is being held in camera without access to the media. They face the death penalty if convicted. 
 
“Gambia must ensure that due process is guaranteed for those on trial. It should co-operate with the international community and carry out prompt, impartial and independent investigations into the events that led to the coup and subsequent government response that led to arrests and detentions,” said Sabrina Mahtani. 
 
“UN Member states need to ensure more sustained involvement regarding Gambia’s deteriorating human rights situation and its disrespect for international human rights mechanisms. Gambia must implement those recommendations it has accepted without delay and accept those it rejected on fundamental human rights issues, such as the death penalty, torture, freedom of expression and rights of LGBTI people. The international community cannot continue to watch how Gambia’s human rights situation is deteriorating without taking action

Banka Freed On Self Bail

Banka Manneh freed on bail

By Yero Jallow

In a dramatic twist on Thursday March 19th, Minnesota Federal Magistrate, Becky R. Thorson of St. Paul, granted conditional bail to a Gambian activist who had earlier surrendered to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Mr. Banka Manneh has been on the FBI investigation list since some Gambian dissident abroad attempted to force out President Yahya Jammeh from power on December 30th. The event followed loss of lives and trial of alleged conspirators both in the U.S and The Gambia. In the US, the accused persons have been charged with violating the U.S Neutrality Act, a law that forbids using the U.S territory to forcefully dislodge a friendly foreign government.

Texas businessman Cherno Njie, Minnesota Air Force U.S veteran Papa Faal, and the Tennessee U.S Military veteran Alhagie Saidy Barrow have all neen charged with violating the Neutrality Act of 1896.

After months of investigation, the FBI finally raided Banka’s home late last week, and summoned him to appear in court, to answer to pending charges against him. In a layman’s language, Banka is charged with “aiding and abetting” the December 30th alleged coup. But Banka is an activist, a sincere Gambian comrade whose simplicity and companionship is celebrated in all corners. Banka is loaded with a spirit to help oppressed Gambians and lift the nation from dictatorship to democracy.
Magistrate Thorson found Banka legible for both self-bail and public defendant (lawyer), after reviewing his alleged involvement and financial earning. The Federal Prosecution pressed on having Banka restricted on access to the internet and computer. At that point, a defiant Banka Manneh told the court he needed the computer to do his job. After a careful consideration, the magistrate allowed Banka to use the computer for work related activities.

Banka’s next hearing is slated for Thursday March 26th 2015 when he is expected to enter his plea. Within the time, Banka has been advised to surrender his passport, to not do any international travels, and appear in court as and when needed.

What many activists are furious about is where the FBI are heading with their investigations. What do they really want? What are they looking for? What interest do they have in this case that it is giving them sleepless nights? People understand about the U.S neutrality law, but agreeably, any investigations, and bringing of alleged conspirators to court needs to be done respectively according to the stipulated law. In the case of Banka, the U.S government and the FBI hav been greatly criticized in many Gambian quarters in the manner and nature they raided his home. Banka is a family man and raiding his home with two dozen FBI agents at around 5am, may not necessarily be against the law, but poses serious questions over its motive. An organization like the FBI is expected to maintain its respect and relationship to have cooperation from communities. The U.S and FBI are well equipped with all resources, therefore a case like this, needs to be investigated from the root cause and the very element provoking citizens to try act in the way allegedly acted on December 30th 2014. The U.S and FBI do not want to go down in history as having to sympathize, aid, and abet a tyrannical regime as destructive as that of The Gambia’s current dictatorship, under the worst of world rulers, Yaya Jammeh. Yes, the FBI has a job to do and no one is saying they don’t, but Gambians too have a job to do, to liberate themselves and their citizens from the clutches of tyranny. The Obama administration must not be taught history, when our pioneer fathers liberated the United States from its colonial master, Great Britain, under treasonable conditions. A law must be reflective of time and current events. A law must represent the interest of those it is written for. A law is unfavorable if it victimizes citizens rather than uplifting them. It is really a shame for a nation as powerful as America to position itself in such a funny situation.

Regardless of the daunting frustration of having to deal with the nagging trials, it was clearly a victory today for believers of justice. It was important to see Banka go home to his family and to be able to continue work. The judge didn’t make any mistake as it is the right thing to do.
To those that believe in freedom, equality, and justice, everything that happens is an inspiration. The Minnesota Civil Society group extends its appreciation for the sincere solidarity from Gambians and their friends the world over.

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The Woman Who Confronts Child Abuse

The woman who exposed the mistreatment of a 10-year-old girl has become news herself. Aminata Manneh, a third year university gender activist student and intern at an intern at the American Corner in Banjul, disappeared after she posted the video of a traffic police man beating the helpless young girl went viral last night. The video invited so many comments on the social media – home and abroad. Among those expressing concern about the disturbing video was Jeffrey Smith of Robert F Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights in New York who twitted thus: “Just saw a highly disturbing video of a Gambia police officer beating a young school girl in broad daylight. Sadly not an uncommon episode.’’

Aminata soon started to get anonymous calls and Facebook messages, with all of them demanding to meet her urgently.  Aminata’s family could neither locate her, nor  reach her on the phone, despite repeated calls.

The case of the gender activist is not a rare coincidence in a country where security officers have been known for kidnapping, arbitrary arrest and detention, especially the government’s perceived enemies. It is against this background that accusing fingers have been pointed at the National Intelligence Agents.

It all started while Aminata was on her way to work on Monday, when she saw the police officer repeatedly canning a young girl. Her conscience would not allow her to leave without taking video of the horrible incident. She then shared it with her close to 5,000 followers. Aminata shared the video with a comment asking since when does a traffic police officer have a right to lay a hand on a young schoolgirl? What has become of our authorities?”

Aminata is admired for her steadfastness in defending the rights of people. Her family is appealing to Gambian authorities to help them establish Aminata’s whereabouts.

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source.www.kaironews.com

Mina’s Video Exposes Police Brutality

Women’s right activist Aminata [Mina] Manneh

A University student was arrested after she was accused of spreading police brutality video. Aminata Manneh is still in detention. A colleague human rights activist with Tango, Madi Jobarteh, stood up with the woman affectionately called Mina.

I Stand Up With Mina

“What crime has she committed other than to have helped the police to better themselves by addressing the excesses of this officer beating a child on the street?

Have the police not created a Complaints Unit? And a Human Rights Unit? And a Child Welfare Unit? And a Community Policing unit? Is Minah’s video not enough and an urgent matter for these units to get very busy to ensure that professionalism and civility characterize all the men and women of theforce?

Let them please release Minah and address the issue in the video, and avoid more international attention being focused on our Beloved Little Gambia for nothing.

Minah deserves an award for standing up for a Good Gambia. Who should be against that? The police should join her and commend her.

Minah is an angel. Decent. Peaceful. Beautiful. Patriotic. Pious. Easygoing.”

Madi Jobarteh

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Banka Manneh Former CORDEG member Surrenders to FBI

Banka Manneh

Banka Manneh a Gambian civil society and political activist surrendered himself to the FBI earlier today in connection to the ongoing 30 December foiled coup investigations. Banka Manneh is an Executive member of CSAG and STGDP and also a former executive member of CORDEG. Mr Manneh is a media personality and a vocal member of the Gambian dissident movement in Diaspora, attending several conferences in furtherance of the struggle to restore democracy and rule of in the Gambia.

According to reliable sources, Banka Manneh was briefly detained by agents of the FBI after an early morning raid on his house in Atlanta on the 12 of March 2015.

The FBI agents equipped with a search warrants took several items from Mr Manneh’s house including, computers, documents and cell phones. It was after the raid that Mr Manneh took the decision in consultation with his lawyer to hand himself in to the Minnesota intelligent agents. Banka Manneh is expected to appear in court on Thursday morning the 19th of March 2015.

The arrest of Mr Manneh brings the number of Gambian American citizens and residence to four that are alleged to be involved in the failed 30 December 2014 attacked on the Presidential palace of the Gambian President.

It could be recall that after the 30 December 2014 assault in the Gambia, The U.S authorities are prosecuting suspected individuals of violating ‘the Neutrality Act’ between the the United States and a friendly nation. Kairo News will follow developments of Mr Manneh’s plight

DR Congo: Mass Arrests of Activists

Crackdown on Free Expression Raises Election Concerns

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  Pro-democracy youth activists from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, and Burkina Faso hold a press conference in Kinshasa just before the mass arrests of many of the activists and others on March 15, 2015.
  © Private

The Congolese government’s detention of pro-democracy activists is the latest alarming sign of a crackdown on peaceful protest ahead of next year’s presidential elections. Congolese authorities should immediately release those detained if they haven’t been charged with a credible offense and ensure access to their lawyers and families.

Ida Sawyer, senior Africa researcher

(Kinshasa) – The arrest of at least 26 activists and others in Kinshasa on March 15, 2015, raises serious concerns of a broader crackdown on free expression before the 2016 Democratic Republic of Congopresidential elections, Human Rights Watch said today.

The arrests, including of foreign journalists and a United States diplomat, followed a news conference by the pro-democracy youth movement Filimbi, organized with support from the US embassy in Kinshasa.

On March 17, 2015, the authorities arrested and roughed up at least 10 Congolese activists in the eastern city of Goma during a peaceful protest outside the office of Congo’s National Intelligence Agency (Agence Nationale de Renseignements, ANR), calling for the release of those arrested in Kinshasa. ANR agents beat a Belgian woman bystander who was later hospitalized, and briefly detained a Belgian journalist.

“The Congolese government’s detention of pro-democracy activists is the latest alarming sign of a crackdown on peaceful protest ahead of next year’s presidential elections,” said Ida Sawyer, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Congolese authorities should immediately release those detained if they haven’t been charged with a credible offense and ensure access to their lawyers and families.”

Human Rights Watch called on United Nations Security Council members, who are due to discuss the situation in Congo on March 19, to publicly press Congolese authorities to immediately release all those detained for their peaceful activities and speech.

Among those arrested on March 15 were Congolese activists, musicians, journalists, technicians, and bystanders; youth leaders and activists from Senegal and Burkina Faso; a US diplomat; two French journalists; and the French director of a production company. The US and French citizens and two Congolese were released after several hours. The others remain detained, possibly by the intelligence agency. They have not been brought before a judge, officially charged with offenses, or had access to their lawyers or families, raising concerns for their safety.

Following the news conference at the Eloko Makasi music studio, men in military police uniform arrived at about 4 p.m. and began arresting people. Witnesses said that the officers at first targeted foreigners. They then began arresting Congolese as well, including those who were preparing the concert stage, and bystanders. The security forces were very rough with several Congolese and West Africans, witnesses said, banging the head of a Senegalese activist against the door of a pickup truck and beating others.

The security forces also took computers and other documents and materials from the hall and destroyed banners.

The military police drove those arrested away in at least three unmarked, white pickup trucks. The US and French citizens were taken to the headquarters of the ANR in Kinshasa, where they were interrogated by senior intelligence officials, then released after several hours. It is not known where the Congolese, Senegalese, and Burkinabe citizens are being detained.

Communications Minister Lambert Mende told journalists that the activists from Senegal and Burkina Faso were “promoting violence through a form of training … coaching of certain youth groups close to a certain opposition to use violent means against other groups or against the institutions of the republic.”

Several Congolese pro-democracy organizations had organized a workshop to introduce Filimbi (“whistle” in Swahili), a new Congolese youth movement. The workshop’s objectives were to promote civic engagement and youth mobilization, and to discuss how Congolese youth can organize in a peaceful and responsible manner to fulfill their duties as citizens.

Youth leaders and activists from Senegal and Burkina Faso came to Kinshasa for the workshop to share their experiences. The Senegalese were members of Y’en a Marre, a group involved in protests against former President Abdoulaye Wade’s controversial bid for a third term in 2012. Those from Burkina Faso were part of Balai Citoyen, a group that participated in protests against former President Blaise Compaoré’s attempt to change the constitution to extend his 27-year term.

“Y’en a Marre and Balai Citoyen are well respected organizations that have worked to promote responsible, civic engagement by youth in West Africa,” Sawyer said. “They came to Kinshasa to share their experiences with Congolese youth, including the importance of peaceful means for youth to engage in the political process.”

Filimbi worked in partnership with Eloko Makasi, a socially conscious music and video production company based in Kinshasa’s Masina neighborhood. Musicians who participated in the workshop went to the Eloko Makasi studio on March 14, 2015, to create a song based on what was discussed at the workshop to encourage Congolese youth to be involved in the democratic process and to promote a free, transparent, and peaceful electoral process.

In a March 16 statement, the US embassy in Kinshasa said the Filimbi workshop was one of many activities the US government supports that involve youth and civil society. “These well-known, well-regarded, non-partisan youth groups as well as the organizers of the weekend’s events intended to promote Congolese youth participation in the political process and encourage young people to express their views about issues of concern to them,” the statement said. “DRC government officials and ruling coalition parties were invited to and some were present during the event.”

Under Congo’s constitution, presidents may serve only two consecutive terms. President Joseph Kabila’s second term ends in 2016. While presidential elections are not scheduled until November 2016, political tensions have been rising across the country. In January 2015, at least 40 people were killed when security forces brutally repressed demonstrations in Kinshasa and other cities to protest proposed changes to Congo’s electoral law that would have delayed elections and enabled Kabila to prolong his term. Numerous political party and civil society leaders have been arrested after speaking out against proposed changes to the constitution or Congo’s electoral system.

“These latest arrests signal a worrying clampdown on freedom of expression and assembly in Congo – fundamental elements of a free, transparent, and peaceful electoral process,” Sawyer said. “Youth leaders, musicians, and activists should be able to meet, discuss, and learn without fear of arrest.

ource.www.hrw.com

UAE: New Cases of Disappearances

Reveal Fate of Missing Dissidents

MARCH 12, 2015

•  EMAIL

We are starting to see a troubling pattern of enforced disappearance in the UAE. The methods used by the UAE’s state security apparatus pose a far greater threat to the country’s international reputation than critical voices inside the country.

Joe Stork, deputy Middle East and North Africa director.

(Beirut) – United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities have forcibly disappeared or detained incommunicado six people since mid-2014, Human Rights Watch said today. With the latest cases, Human Rights Watch has now documented at least eight instances in which individuals were forcibly disappeared after being in custody of state authorities and identified 12 further cases of incommunicado detention.

The authorities should reveal the names and whereabouts of all individuals whom they have forcibly disappeared or are holding in incommunicado detention.

Those whose whereabouts are unknown after they were detained include the son of an adviser to the formerEgyptian President Mohammed Morsy, two Qatari nationals, and three Emirati sisters whose families have not had contact with them since February 15, 2015, when they obeyed an official summons to report to an Abu Dhabi police station after they posted comments critical of the government on social media. Both enforced disappearances and incommunicado detention put detainees at serious risk of torture.

“We are starting to see a troubling pattern of enforced disappearance in the UAE,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East and North Africa director. “The methods used by the UAE’s state security apparatus pose a far greater threat to the country’s international reputation than critical voices inside the country.”

Since 2011, UAE authorities have arbitrarily detained scores of people who have either criticized the authorities or who have links to domestic or foreign Islamist groups. The UAE government should reveal the names and whereabouts of everyone forcibly disappeared or held in incommunicado detention, Human Rights Watch said.

Asma, Mariam, and Al Yazzyah al-Suweidi were last seen on February 15, 2015, after authorities called them to a police station in Abu Dhabi. A reliable third party told Human Rights Watch that their mother subsequently received a telephone call from an Emirati official indicating they were in detention, which indicates they may have been subject to enforced disappearance. The three had posted comments criticizing the UAE authorities’ unlawful imprisonment of Emirati dissidents, including their brother, Dr. Issa al-Suweidi.

The day before her detention, Asma al-Suweidi posted a picture on her Twitter account of some of the 69 Emiratis convicted in June 2013 of attempting to overthrow the government after an unfair trial dogged by credible allegations that some of the defendants were tortured while held incommunicado in pretrial detention. Dr. Suweidi was among those convicted and is serving a 10-year sentence in Al Razan jail in Abu Dhabi. On February 5, 2015, Asma al-Suweidi tweeted (in Arabic): “I searched and I did not read in my brother’s case any reasonable argument leading to his isolation and imprisonment that is depriving him of life for 10 years.”

Al Yazzyah al-Suweidi also regularly expressed her support for the detainees and her brother on her Twitter account. On January 30 she wrote (in Arabic): “They dismantled our brother … return him to us #Issa_Al_Suweidi #UAE_detainees #innocent_people_behind_bars.” Mariam al-Suweidi appears to have been less active on social media than her sisters, but also used the hashtag #UAE_detainees in tweets referring to her brother’s detention.

On January 7, Ahmed Abd el Aziz, an Egyptian, posted a video to YouTube in which he called on the UAE authorities to release his 26-year-old son Mosaab who, he alleges, was “kidnapped by United Arab Emirates’ security forces” on October 21, 2014, after being called to a police station in Sharjah. In the video he attributes his son’s arrest and incommunicado detention by UAE authorities to his own erstwhile position as a member of Morsy’s staff before he was ousted as Egyptian president in July 2013. Human Rights Watch has been unable to corroborate Aziz’s account.

In August 2014, UAE authorities detained 10 Libyan nationals. At least two of them were forcibly disappeared: Mohamed and Salim Elaradi, both brothers of Abdulrazaq Elaradi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Justice and Construction Party in Libya. Authorities released Mohamed Elaradi and three others in late December but they have yet to disclose where Salim Elaradi and the others are being held or allow them access to lawyers or their families.

On February 13, 2015, UAE authorities released Dr. Amer al-Shawa, a Turkish citizen and acquaintance of the Elaradi brothers who was detained on October 2, 2014, at Dubai International Airport. He was only allowed to contact his family for the first time 12 days later with a brief phone call. The Interior Ministry, the Abu Dhabi police, and the Criminal Investigations Department in Abu Dhabi initially denied knowledge of his whereabouts and obstructed his wife’s efforts to file a complaint. His wife only learned of his release when he called her from Istanbul using a taxi driver’s mobile phone following his release and departure from the UAE.

On June 27, UAE immigration officials arrested two Qatari nationals, Yousif al-Mullah and Hamad al-Hamadi, when they entered the country by road from Saudi Arabia. More than eight months later, their families have been unable to find out why UAE authorities arrested them, where they are detained, and in what conditions. In a letter to Human Rights Watch, the families said the Emirati authorities have not responded to the families’ requests for information on the men’s whereabouts.

UAE authorities have curtailed international rights groups’ ability to do research in the country and taken action against individuals who have spoken out about abuses, making it difficult to determine the full extent of enforced disappearances and incommunicado detentions. In January 2014, the UAE authorities denied a Human Rights Watch staff member entry into the country and placed two other Human Rights Watch staff on a blacklist as they left the country in the immediate aftermath of the release of the Human Rights Watch World Report 2014, which included information about UAE abuses.

On November 25, the Federal Supreme Court sentenced Osama al-Najer, an Emirati, to three years in jail on charges that included “damaging the reputation of UAE institutions” and “communicating with external organizations to provide misleading information.” On September 14, 2012, Al-Najer was quoted in a Human Rights Watch news release that contained credible allegations that detainees had been tortured during interrogations.

Article 27 of the UAE’s criminal law of procedure states that detainees should be brought before the public prosecutor within two days. The UAE’s 2003 State Security Apparatus Law, however, gives state security officers wide powers to hold detainees for lengthy periods without any judicial scrutiny. Article 28 of the state security apparatus law, read in conjunction with article 14, allows the head of the state security apparatus to detain a person for 106 days “if he has sufficient reasonable causes to make him believe” that the person is involved in, among other things, “activities that undermine the state … or jeopardize national unity,” “activities deemed harmful to the economy,” or anything that “could undermine, weaken the position of, stir animosity against or undermine trust in the State.”

The state security apparatus law inherently violates article 14(6) of the Arab Charter on Human Rights, which states that “anyone arrested or detained on a criminal charge shall be brought promptly before a judge or other officer authorized by law to exercise judicial power and shall be entitled to trial within a reasonable time or to release.”

The law also places individuals at risk of enforced disappearance. An enforced disappearance occurs when someone is deprived of their liberty by agents of the state or those acting with its acquiescence, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of liberty or by concealment of the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared person. The nexus between torture and enforced disappearance is well established in international law.

Article 5 of the 2006 International Convention on the Protection of All Persons Against Enforced Disappearances states that: “The widespread or systematic practice of enforced disappearance constitutes a crime against humanity as defined in applicable international law and shall attract the consequences provided for under such applicable international law.” The UAE has yet to sign or ratify the convention.

“UAE authorities should stop using enforced disappearance and incommunicado detention to harass and cow their critics,” Stork said. “The UAE authorities should immediately reveal the whereabouts of anyone they are holding.”

source.www.hrw.org

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UN Report Damns Gambia’s Human Rights

Gambian officials denied Juan Mendez access to Gambia’s maximum security wing in November!

A United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture has issued a damning report that provides evidence of gross violations of human rights in The Gambia.

Juan Mendez’s report comes at a time European Union leaders are contemplating on whether to approve 150 million euros of aid to the West African country. The bloc last year denied some 13 million euros in aid to The Gambia, citing the Jammeh government’s poor human rights credentials.

Mr. Mendez was in November last year denied access to maximum security wing of Mile 2 Central Prison where death row prisoners are held in solitary confinement. But The Gambia government’s denial did not stop Mendez to make his findings known to the public. He cited a high risk of torture, arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance. The report also lampooned the lack of accountability of the country’s law enforcement and security forces.

In a report dated March 2nd, the UN noted that “the special rapporteur observed a layer of fear that was visible on the faces and in the voices of many he met from civil society.” Forty-three people who have been on death row are denied visits by lawyers and families, the report stated.

“The restrictions imposed on the special rapporteur by the government during the course of this visit are unprecedented since the establishment of the mandate 30 years ago,” the report concurred, alleging serious violations of international standards in the prison system. This included overcrowding, inadequate nutrition, insufficient access to medical care and poor sanitation.

The report said “these sub-standard conditions constitute cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment.”

The UN report also documented testimony of detention without trial for months and torture by the National Intelligence Agency.

The authors of the report would not understand why a country whose economy has been ravaged by a significant drop in tourist arrivals mainly because of the Ebola outbreak refused to improve its human rights record in exchange for foreign aid.

The report also touched on the failed December 30th coup, with the Special Rapporteur citing the unconfirmed arrest and attention of at least 50 people. The detainees included families of the alleged coup plotters held by the NIA.

The Gambia government is yet to react to the report.

Kairo News will try to make stories from the main parts of the more than 13,000 word report.

Ends

Source. www.kaironews.com