IHRDA condemns the unlawful arrest and detention of Political Scientist, Dr Ismaila Ceesay, by The Gambia Police on 31 January 2018 for expressing an opinion on national security, published in The Voice Newspaper.
According to the paper, Dr Ceesay had suggested in an interview that it was important for the President of the Republic to win the trust of the local army, in a bid to ensure long-term security in the country, as the presence of regional forces in the country does not necessarily guarantee such security.
We do not think there is any substantive element of this opinion that poses a national security threat or that could lead to destruction or damage to any property, as he was charged with.
IHRDA finds this act of Government in contravention of the rights protected under the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia, such as the right to freedom of expression and the right to personal liberty, which are equally protected under regional and international treaties to which The Gambia is a party.
We wish to remind Government of The Gambia of its human rights obligations and commitments, which have recently been reiterated by H.E. President Adama Barrow, notably during the opening of the 61st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on 1 November 2017, and at the award of his honorary doctorate of Laws and Human Rights by The University of The Gambia on 15 January 2018.
IHRDA therefore calls on Government of The Gambia to respect its human rights obligations, and to continue taking steps towards upholding democratic values in the New Gambia.
Interesting episodes and incomprehensible ironies in the new Gambia!!!
The new leadership spoke time and time about their appreciation for the contribution of Gambians living outside the country and openly requests for them to come back and join hands in the development of the country.
However, the ‘atmosphere’ being created in the country now is far from encouraging any Gambian outside to honour this open invitation! The natural challenge of life everyone goes through in different measures is already enough take for an average person who does not have the appetite to add on to that especially getting stuck in traffic/get wounded (as it happened to an innocent baby due only to a few individuals with whatever reasons for their anger blocking traffic – in search of APRC supporters/sympathisers or just merely wearing a green T-shirt – as it was reported in Busumbala. Before this event, there was the 57 vehicle issue, the unexplained sacking of Interior Minister, the footballing of Nani Juwara, …… all of which the innocent and forgiving population tries to put behind and look to the future, the administration decided to secure themselves well but leave Gambians to fend for themselves or in some cases put those vary Gambians in a very tight corner. Death of a young woman in hair dressing salon, armed shop lifters on increase and now a season, brain gained (PhD graduate) Gambian has been arrested for saying what should have been the kind of stuff any leader needs to avail them the opportunity to take necessary actions to prevent mishaps. The concerns raised by Dr Ceesay is a genuine one any honest Gambian/sound minded lover of peace for Gambia can attest to.
This concerns should have been put to the leadership a long time ago by his own appointed advisers if they have the best interest (not of their pockets) but of the people at heart. It is the lack of a visible action on the part of the leadership that concerned citizens air these issues as a reminder to those in authority. It is not a criticism of the leadership, it is an alarm bell sort that can earn you respect if adhered to.
How then do the leadership expect ‘ORDINARY’ Gambians currently outside (with low or no skills or academic qualifications) can be encouraged and have the confidence to return while they are seeing the gifted & hard working few ‘EXTRA-ORDINARY’ (value added/high skilled/higher academic achieving) citizens being treated as dogs for being good citizens?This irony is beyond me. If the leadership only want the return of only those foreign based citizens who will not raise any concerns or question their actions or inactions, then am afraid, Gambian have indeed #decided, but they are now indeed #Regretting not all their work but their choice. That is a my analyses which could be completely wrong and wish it is!!! For if my analyses are right, I the writer will as well be among the sad lot!!!
May Allah save the Gambia.
Lets all remember that unjust punishment on innocent citizens many times speeds the ascension of the punished one to higher positions (possibly to the vary authority that punished them). Should this be the case for Dr Ceesay, I do not know. All I know is that, insha Allah Gambia won’t regret and I and insha Allah a lot more people won’t be sad. Dr Ceesay, be patient, just start thinking if you could be not just the next but the ‘RIGHT’ Mandela?