AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE Alarming rise in death sentences

Death penalty 2014: Alarming rise in death sentences as governments resorted to capital punishment to combat crime and terrorism

·         States used the death penalty in a flawed attempt to tackle crime, terrorism and internal instability

·         Sharp spike in death sentences largely due to Egypt and Nigeria - at least 2,466 imposed globally, up 28% on 2013

·         607 executions recorded, down almost 22% on 2013 (excluding those carried out in China, which executed more than the rest of the world put together)

·         22 countries known to have executed, the same number as 2013

An alarming number of countries used the death penalty to tackle real or perceived threats to state security linked to terrorism, crime or internal instability in 2014, Amnesty International found in its annual review of the death penalty worldwide.

The number of death sentences recorded in 2014 jumped by almost 500 compared to 2013, mainly because of sharp spikes in Egypt and Nigeria, including mass sentencing in both countries in the context of internal conflict and political instability.

“Governments using the death penalty to tackle crime are deluding themselves. There is no evidence that shows the threat of execution is more of a deterrent to crime than any other punishment,” said Salil Shetty, Amnesty International’s Secretary General.

“The dark trend of governments using the death penalty in a futile attempt to tackle real or imaginary threats to state security and public safety was stark last year. It is shameful that so many states around the world are essentially playing with people’s lives – putting people to death for ‘terrorism’ or to quell internal instability on the ill-conceived premise of deterrence.”

But there was also good news to be found in 2014 - fewer executions were recorded compared to the year before and several countries took positive steps towards abolition of the death penalty.

Top executioners

China again carried out more executions than the rest of the world put together. Amnesty International believes thousands are executed and sentenced to death there every year, but with numbers kept a state secret the true figure is impossible to determine.

The other countries making up the world’s top five executioners in 2014 were Iran (289 officially announced and at least 454 more that were not acknowledged by the authorities), Saudi Arabia (at least 90), Iraq (at least 61) and the USA (35).

Excluding China, at least 607 executions were known to have been carried out in 2014, compared to 778 in 2013, a drop of more than 20 per cent.

Sierra Leone: Let pregnant girls take exams Says Amnesty International

 AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL     

  
 
The suggestion that visibly pregnant girls in Sierra Leone will be excluded from school exams this Monday will do nothing but damage their education and harm their chances to better their lives, Amnesty International said today. 
On Wednesday Sierra Leone’s Education Minister Minkailu Bah reiterated previous comments that visibly pregnant girls could be banned from taking their exams. One key reason given by the minister is that they would provide a bad example to other girls. Passing the exams is a requirement to progress from junior to senior high school.
“The government should be striving to get more girls into school, not turning them away at the door. Girls must not have their right to education and their hopes of a better life dashed because of an early and in some cases unwanted pregnancy,” said Sabrina Mahtani, Amnesty International West Africa Researcher. 
“I dread to think how schools will implement such a policy. What girl would go to school if it meant being singled out, physically examined and shamed? Schools are meant to test student’s ability, not whether they are pregnant.” 
The threatened measures would further disadvantage girls in Sierra Leone, where 28% of 15-19 year olds have a child or are pregnant according to the 2013 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey. 
Schools have been closed for eight months due to the Ebola outbreak, and during that time girls have had less access to reproductive health services or clinics, have been under more pressure to have sex for goods or money, and have been at increased risk of sexual violence. 
Schools are due to reopen in April, and it is not known whether or not pregnant girls will be allowed to attend.

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

Ends

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