By Ryan Aliman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

BANJUL, Gambia – Last Friday, Gambian journalists and activists demanded the government to stop harassing them. They clamored against the increasing number of arbitrary arrests and detention of the administration’s critics.

Reports say that the crackdown on alleged critics of the government has become more severe over the past few years. Security agencies such as the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) have been strictly monitoring the press and detaining anyone who published reports criticizing the government.

Five months ago, the NIA imprisoned an imam, Baba Leigh, for describing the government’s decision to execute nine death row inmates as “un-Islamic”.

Joined by other activists, Hamat Bah of the opposition National Reconciliation Party (NRP) cried out for the imam’s release, reminding the administration of the unconstitutionality of Leigh’s arrest.

According to the Gambia Press Union (GPU), by depriving its citizens their right to voice their opinion and be informed, the government effectively tarnishes the image of the country. It also “retards professionalism and overall development of the media,” said GPU President Emil Touray.

“The banning of journalist Binta Bah of the Daily News from covering a court proceedings, deportation of BBC journalist Thomas Fessy, the summary closure of Teranga FM, Daily News and Standard newspaper in addition to arrests of journalists Babucarr Ceesay, Abubacarr Saidykhan and Abdoulie John are clear indications that media freedom is deteriorating in this country,” Touray stressed out. He also added that the executive should continue to investigate the murder of Deyda Hydara, co- publisher’s of The Point newspaper and the disappearance of Chief Ebrima Manneh of the Daily Observer. According to Touray, there remains a need “to expand the democratic space in the country.”

However, the government released a statement the other day denying any such claims of abuse. Reacting to a case study by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) about human rights, which included the Gambia, President Jammeh’s administration called the allegations of harassment a “blackmailing” tactic.

“All the issues highlighted in the FCO report on the death penalty, detentions, censure of newspapers and radio stations, the sanctioning of voices intent on social destabilization are soon remedied by consultation, collaboration and support to practitioners in the development of self-regulatory organisms and improved standards rather than the apparently more desired effect of the all-out blackmailing of the government of the Gambia while the abundant signs of progress and growth in the conditions of the people are ignored by the media and some others who are supposed to be partners in our development,” the statement said.

 

For further information, please see:

AfriqueJet – Medias: Gambian government urged to stop harassing journalists – 4 May 2013

All Africa – Gambia: Authorities Debunk UK Human Rights Abuse Claim – 3 May 2013

The Blade – Gambian activists want imam released – 3 May 2013

Yahoo News – Activists call for release of imam in Gambia – 1 May 2013