The Gambia’s human rights under scrutiny: Rights groups raise concerns

Thumbs Down: Rights groups say human rights situation in Gambia “shrinking” (Photo Credit: MSJoof/TNBES/FPI)

By Modou S. Joof

The press freedom and free expression advocacy agency, ARTICLE 19, has raised concerns at Gambia’s “shrinking” human rights record Tuesday.

The Gambia, a small West African country which is no stranger to criticisms over rights abuses by human rights groups, opposition parties and journalists, is today (October 28, 2014) appearing before UN Human Rights Council for its Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

A statement from the multinational rights group says it calls for concerted regional and international efforts to “stop the violent repression against free voices and end impunity.”

Rights groups condemn plans for immunity of African leaders

AU’s shocking move follows strident attacks on the International Criminal Court, ICC, by some African leaders who accused it of a witch-hunt. Now, they want to give themselves immunity over the same crimes The Hague-based ICC/CPI indicted some of them for. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By Modou S. Joof

African leaders through their justice ministers and attorney generals are creeping their feet towards considering a draft protocol that would give leaders immunity on grave crimes against humanity.

These justice ministers and attorney generals of the AU are scheduled to meet in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia May 15-16 to consider a draft protocol to expand the authority of the African Court on Justice and Human Rights to include criminal jurisdiction over genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

Also, a proposal providing immunity for heads of state and senior government officials from prosecution for such crimes is being considered as part of the amended protocol.

But African human rights organisations from 19 countries and a host of international human rights organisations working in Africa have said the plan to give immunity to sitting government leaders before the Court would be a major setback for justice for grave crimes.

Women and girls in The Gambia are victims of gender-based violence

With very little support for redress, they are harassed to silence

Photo Credit: UN Photo / M. Perret -Violence against women

By Isatou Bittaye

As the commemoration of 16 Days Activism against Gender-Based Violence draws to an end on December 10 (Human Rights Day), I am providing a highlight on the struggle to end violence against women and girls.

Violence against women and girls continues to be a gross human rights violation that knows no boundaries of age, race, religion, region or nationality and its roots stems from gender inequality and discrimination.  Gender-based violence continues to be a threat to all women and an obstacle to efforts for development, peace and gender equality in all societies.

It is important to take stock and reflect on this year’s theme “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence against Women”.

Statistics from UN Women has shown that “one in every three women in the world will be raped or beaten in her lifetime.” Among women between the ages of 15-44, gender-based violence accounts for more death and disability than the combined effects of cancer, malaria, traffic injuries and war.

Go beyond mere condemnation, human rights defenders tell African Commission

Panel on Freedom of Expression and Protection of Journalists’ Safety at the 54th Ordinary Session of the ACHPR (Photo Credit: Facebook/Omar Faruk Osman)

By Modou S. Joof

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) should go beyond mere condemnation [of human rights violations in Africa], a coalition of African Human Rights Defenders, AHRDs, said on Wednesday.

They encourage the Commission to take concrete steps to prevent and ensure redress for reprisals by designating a focal point to receive information, and to monitor and follow up on [rights violation] cases.

“It is vital that the Commission acts decisively to protect defenders in their all important role engaging with this Commission,” said Clement Voule, Manager, Regional and National Human Rights Defenders.

‘Japan shows more respect for Africa’

Jammeh suggests that Japanese companies establish more businesses in Africa. Independent observers say Japan is trying to break into an economic emerging Africa, where China, America and Europe are the leading trade and development cooperation partners. (Photo Credit: SEYLLOU/AFP/2011)

The West is saying a ‘bunch of rubbish’

“Yes, I am a dictator, yes, but what I have done in eighteen years in this country the British could not do it in a million years,” Gambian President Yahya Jammeh said. (Photo Credit: Wikipedia)

CPJ tells AU chairperson to uphold press freedom

By Binta A Bah

The Committee to Protect Journalists, CPJ, has asks Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union, to uphold press freedom by calling for justice in journalist murders in Africa and for the release of all imprisoned journalists.

In letter, the USA-based journalists’ protection body asked the AU to mark World Press Freedom Day by calling for the release of all journalists imprisoned in Africa and appealing for justice in the murders of journalists killed in the line of duty.

On May 3, 2013, at least 41 African journalists spend World Press Freedom Day imprisoned in direct reprisal for their work.

‘The Gambia will soon have a functional independent human rights commission’

A session of the ACHPR in Gambia, 2009 (Photo credit: Guillaume Colin & Pauline Penot)

By Modou S. Joof

The Gambia will soon be part of some African States that have a functional independent Human Rights Commission, the country’s Justice Minister Lamin Jobarteh said on Tuesday.

He hopes this process will be expedited as the government has commenced consultations on the establishment of a national Human Rights Commission with the assistance of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

We cannot hope African governments will uphold legal provisions

NGOs Forum Gambie (Photo credit: Guillaume Colin & Pauline Penot)

By Modou S. Joof

We cannot always hope that our governments will willingly uphold constitutional and legal provisions and also abide by their legal obligations under treaties and conventions especially human rights treaties they have ratified, Emmanuel Daniel Joof said on Monday.

Speaking at the closing of the NGOs Forum in Banjul, The Gambia on April 8, the Human Rights Lawyer said: “It is a known fact that respect and adherence to rule of law and human rights and the strife towards attaining social justice cannot only be left in the hands and goodwill of those who govern”.

African Commission raises concerns over state parties’ reprisals against human rights defenders

Human Rights Defenders at the Forum on the Participation of Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the 49th Ordinary Session of the ACHPR and the 23rd African Human Rights Book Fair in Banjul from April 25-27, 2011 (Photo Credit: M.S. Joof/TNBES)

By Modou S. Joof

The African Commission notes with great concern on information alleging reprisals by States Parties against NGOs in the conduct of their mandate, Commissioner Catherine Dupe Atoki said on Saturday.

The Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) said “these reactions by State Parties are indicative of the efficacy of human rights advocacy by NGOs, as it implies that the activities of the NGOs are actually impacting the states concerned”.