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IFJ Condemns Jail Sentence on Gambia Journalists |
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned the conviction of six Gambian journalists to two year jail sentence and US$ 20,000 fine each for having criticised President Yahya Jammeh.
"This is one of the darkest days in the history of African journalism. The harsh sentences pronounced today by justice Fagbenle fly in the face of all the constitutional guarantees and the principles of press freedom and natural justice. Our Gambian colleagues were right to have no faith in the Gambian judicial system which has proved to be spineless and a faithful servant of president Jammeh.” said IFJ President Jim Boumelha.
The six Gambian journalists defendants - Gambia Press Union General Secretary Emil Touray, its Vice President Sarata Jabbi-Dibba and Treasurer Pa Modou Faal together with Pap Saine, publisher, Ebrima Sawaneh, editor of The Point newspaper; Sam Sarr, editor at the Foroyaa newspaper – are convicted to two year jail and US$ 20,000 each. They have been all convicted on six counts of sedition and defamation and have been sent to Mile Two State Central Prisons, in Banjul the capital.
The arrests of the journalists followed the publication of a statement by the GPU denouncing comments made on national television by the Gambian Head of State, President Yahya Jammeh, on the death of Gambian journalist Deyda Hydara and the state of press freedom in the Gambia.
The seven journalists including Abubcarr Saidykhan Reporter, at the Foroyaa newspaper - who was eventually released - were initially arrested on 15 June 2009 and charged of publishing seditious publications and two accounts of criminal defamations.
The IFJ calls for the immediate release of the six journalists jailed, and for genuine inquest in the assassination of Deyda Hydara, the disappearance of Chief Ibrahima Manneh, and many other press freedom and freedom of expression abuses in the Gambia.
“The IFJ and its members worldwide will continue to fight shoulder to shoulder with our Gambian colleagues until justice is done and the six journalists are released.”, added Boumelha.
The IFJ, in collaboration with global trade union movements and human rights organisations has built and will continue to build support for the Gambian journalists in a series of protest activities in Europe, the US and Africa, as part of the global campaign to free the six journalists. |
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African Journalists Protest Court Decision against Gambian Journalists |
African Journalists Protest Court Decision against Gambian Journalists as “Heavy Violations” of Fundamental Rights.
The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), the African Regional Organization of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), resoundingly protests today’s court ruling against leaders of Gambia Press Union (GPU) and three journalists as “heavy violations of freedom of the press and trade union rights in the Gambia ”.
According to Gambia Press Union, a FAJ affiliate, the three GPU leaders, namely, Emil Touray, GPU Secretary General; Sarata Jabbi Dibba, GPU Vice President and Pa Modou Faal, GPU Treasurer along with Pap Saine, Ebou Sawaneh, The Point’s publisher and editor respectively; and Sam Sarr, Editor of Foroyaa newspaper have been convicted on all six counts of sedition and defamation and were today sent to Mile Two State Central Prisons.
“This court decision demonstrates the lack of respect for freedom of the press and freedom of association in the Gambia . We demand the total and immediate release of our six (6) colleagues and respect for fundamental rights in The Gambia”, said Omar Faruk Osman, FAJ President.
FAJ said this verdict is undoubtedly politicized and an unfair judgment. Gambian courts are not independent. The judicial system is subject to political interference. Today’s verdict was designed to send a message to those who dare to stand up for fundamental human rights.
“The Gambian regime has been waging a systematic State repression and injustice against Gambian journalists, which is unacceptable because Gambian journalists are trying to fight for press freedom, freedom of expression and fair working and living conditions,” Omar Faruk declared.
The seven journalists have been convicted of all six counts and sentenced to two years imprisonment, and fined each 500,000 Dalasis (about US$20,000).
“GPU, its leaders and members are evidently the victims of their outspokenness and journalistic as well as trade union activities. FAJ expresses full support and first class solidarity with the Gambia Press Union and its members”.
“The FAJ in conjunction with world journalists’ organization, IFJ, and trade union movement as well as the free press community will continue its campaign in support of our Gambian brothers and sisters until they are fully allowed their freedoms and rights, namely the right to free expression, freedom of association and the right to protect and promote needs and interests,” Omar Faruk affirmed. |
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Six Journalist's Case Judgement to be delivered tomorrow |
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The judgment in the case of the three GPU executive members and three other journalists set aside for midday, today, August 5th has just been adjourned to 10am tomorrow August 6th.
Justice Joseph Wowo at 11:50 a. told defence counsels that he was not yet "ready" and should be given until tomorrow.
Hundreds of Gambians, denied access by paramilitary (Police Intervention Unit) gathered outside the court house. Only the accused, counsel and family members were allowed entry. |
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African Journalists' summit outlines strategies to roll back impunity and defend journalists |
Leaders of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), the African regional organisation of the International Federation of Journalists, strongly condemned at their biannual meeting in Djibouti on June 23rd, the unsafe and precarious working conditions of journalists in Africa.
During the meeting, hosted by the Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA) and supported by the American Centre for International Labour Support (Solidarity Centre), the FAJ leadership body was joined by leaders of the sub-regional groups of journalists' trade unions in Central Africa, Southern Africa, Northern Africa, West Africa and Eastern Africa to discuss the protection, monitoring and promotion of the rights of African journalists.
 Leading African Journalists at a Summit in Djibouti
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ECOWAS Court Dismisses Gambian Government Objection |
The ECOWAS Community Court hearing the case of torture brought by Musa
Saidykhan, a Gambian journalist against the operatives of the Gambia's
notorious National Intelligence Agency (NIA), on June 30, 2009 dismissed the
preliminary objections raised by the Gambian government, the defendant in
the case.
According to the Community court, Saidykhan is a citizen of West Africa and
that the court is mandated by the ECOWAS protocol to hear human rights
violation cases brought before it.
 Musa Saidykhan displaying tortured marks
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Another Point Journalist Arrested As GPU 3, Others Get Bail |
Emil Touray, Sarata Jabbi Dibba, Pa Modou Faal, together with Pap Saine, Ebou Sawaneh, Sam Sarr, Abubacarr Saidy Khan of The Point and Foroyaa newspapers were today granted bail by Magistrate Sainabou Wadda of the Kanifing Magistrate�s Court.
The seven GPU members charged with Conspiracy to publish seditious publication and publishing seditious information were Monday June 22, 2009 granted bail at the sum of D200, 000 each with two Gambian sureties and two landed properties.
 Pape Saine: one of the journalists bailed
Similar bail conditions were given to Sarata Jabbi-Dibba last Thursday whilst all other six were remanded in state central prisons Mile Two.
The seven journalists arrested since Monday 15 June 2009 and detained at the NIA office in Banjul for three days before their first court appearance Thursday 18 June 2009. They were charged in the absence of their lawyers, denied bail and subsequently remanded, except Mrs Sarata Jabbi-Dibba who was granted bail the same day.
The accused persons declined to take their plea, arguing that they have not spoken to their lawyers. Lawyer Lamin Camara, counsel for the accused persons was not given access to his clients prior to their appeartance in Court today.
The case was adjourned to July 7.
Augustine Kanja of the Point newspaper was today arrested outside the Court premises whilst preparing to take pictures.
Hundreds of Gambians including, journalists and family members of the accused journalists were asked out of the court premises which was heavily guarded by military personnel, armed in riot gear.
The UK High Commissioner and US Ambassador to The Gambia were present in Court.
The Banjul/Serrekunda highway, leading to the Court house was blocked. |
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GPU, GAMBIAN JOURNALISTS UNDER SIEGE |
The Gambia Press Union wishes to express its most profound disappointment over the National Intelligence Agency questioning of three of its senior Executive members namely, Emil Touray, Secretary General; Sarata Jabbi-Dibba, Vice President and Pa Modou Faal, Treasurer who have spent all day today at the National Intelligence Agency Headquarters were they are being questioned.
 Ndey Tapha Sosseh: GPU President |
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NIA detains three GPU executives and editor over a press release on Deyda Hydara |
 The National Intelligence Agency (NIA), political police of President Yahya
Jammeh today, June 15, 2009 began interrogating three executive members of
the Gambian Press Union (GPU) and a newspaper editor over a press release
that the GPU issued on June 12.
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Government raises objection in trial of tortured journalist |
SOURCE: Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Accra
(MFWA/IFEX) - On 30 June 2009, the ECOWAS Community Court in Abuja,
Nigeria, hearing the case of Musa Saidykhan, a Gambian journalist allegedly
tortured while in custody of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), will
give its ruling on a preliminary objection raised by the Gambian
government, the defendant in the case.
 Tortured journalist Musa Saidykhan displaying totured marks on his body |
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MFWAS REACTION TO GAMBIAN GOVERNMENTS STANCE ON CHIEF EBRIMAH MANNEHS DISAPPEARANCE |
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is a non-government organization incorporated in the Republic of Ghana with the object of defending and promoting freedom of expression and of the media and the rights of journalists in the West African sub-region. In April 2007, the Media Foundation for West Africa for and on behalf of Chief Ebrimah Manneh brought an action at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice against the Government of the Republic of the Gambia, claiming the following reliefs: Missing Journalist Ebrima Manneh's Family with GPU members |
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