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Gambia: Country to Be Suspended From the Commonwealth ?
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Freedom Newspaper (Raleigh, North Carolina)
21 November 2007
Posted to the web 22 November 2007
Scott A Morgan
Recent Months have seen an overall decline in Human Rights in the African State. The Biggest News item was when two Members of Amnesty International were detained over a weekend in the Country. The Team was in country conducting seminars on Freedom of the Press when they were taken into Custody. Also the Rebellion earlier this year in the Casamance is also a source of tension within the borders as several members of the Group now face charges of Terrorism.
There are other areas of concern from within the Gambia. Over 50 Western African Nationals were executed and the perpetrators have never faced Justice. Freedom of the Press is only practiced by name. Several Journalists have been detained over the years with one passing away while in Police Custody. While the issue of Freedom of the Press was being discussedGambia was linked with Zimbabwe and Pakistan. Those are two high profile states within the Human Rights Community.
Even though there were Elections earlier this year it is believed that Gambia is not a Free State. A NGO Forum that shadows the CHOGM meeting heard a first hand account about how it is impossible for NGOs that promote Human Rights to Operate within the Country. Gambia should be forced to abide by the International Treaties and Protocols that they have affixed their signature too. A Commonwealth observer stated that there is a systemic and deliberate pattern of Human Rights Abuses.
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At this time it its not known if President Jammeh will attend the meeting but if he does he may face some unpleasant questions from his peers.
The author comments on US Foreign Policy in Africa on the American Chronicle (www.americanchronicle.com) and publishes Confused Eagle (morganrights.tripod.com)
It appears that Gambia may suffer a similar fate as Zimbabwe in the near future. Reports from Kampala are indicating that the Gambia may soon be suspended from CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting) due to the increasing decline for the respect for Human Rights.
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