Gov't urged to stop human rights abuses

The minority leader of the National Assembly has called on the Jammeh regime to put an end to the gross human right abuses and adhere to the provisions of human rights in the country.

Momodou Lamin Sanneh, member for Kiang West, said the poor human rights record of the Jammeh regime is a cause for concern as it has stained the Gambia's image in the ouside world.

Speaking at the official end of the 2008 legislative year last Tuesday, the minority leader said a number of Gambians have over the years been arrested and detained by security officers without being charged or told the reasons for their arrest.

He read out a list of names published in a recent article of Foroyaa Newspaper of people who are languishing in detention for years without being charged with any criminal offense.

The minority leader added that the continuous arrest and detention of people without charge is tarnishing Gambia's image and unless the government start respecting the rights of people, the coutry's image will continue to drag in the mud.

He called on the government to act within the constitution by charging and arraigning people suspected to have committed a crime in competent court of law.

Also decrying the poor human rights record of the Jammeh regime, Babanding KK Daffeh, member for Kiang Central, said the government should adhere to the rules in arresting and detaining suspects.

He said in many instances, suspects are held by law security officers beyond the legal 72 hours.

Bekai Camara, member for Wuli East called on the department of state for the Interior to set up a police station in his constituency to help reduce the high rate of banditry in the area.

Saikou Suso, member for Kantora, appealed to the department of state for the Interior to renovate the state of Fatoto Police Station as well as provide a vehicle for the station. He lamented that the lack of vehicle at the station has seriously hampered the work of the police in his area.

Gambia jail British couple

A Scottish missionary and his wife, who pleaded guilty to sedition charges in Gambia, have been sentenced to one year in prison with hard labour.

David and Fiona Fulton were arrested last month after sending a letter to groups and individuals which criticised the country's government.

The couple changed their original not guilty plea last week.

Mr Fulton, 60, is from Troon in Ayrshire. His 46-year-old wife is from Torquay in Devon.

Last week the couple pleaded guilty to charges of sedition against the government of President Yahya Jammeh.

Hard labour

They issued a public apology but their remorse did not mollify the judge.

The Fultons admitted publishing e-mails with seditious comments with intent to bring hatred or contempt against the president or the government.

Presiding magistrate Idrissa Mbai said: "I found the offences of the accused party to be very shocking and they have shown no respect for the country, the government and the president of the republic. I will send a clear message to the offenders.

"I therefore sentence you to a fine of 250,000 Dalasis (about £6,250) and mandatory jail time of one year with hard labour."

If the couple do not pay the fine they face an additional six months in prison.

'Seeking clarity'

They can lodge an appeal within 20 days, but it was not clear if they would do so.

The tiny west African country inside Senegal, has been criticised in recent years for its human rights record.

Jammeh, an outspoken military officer and former wrestler, has ruled the former British colony since seizing power in a bloodless coup in 1994.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said consular staff had been providing assistance to the Fultons.

He said the Foreign Office was "seeking clarity" over what hard labour meant "in this context".

He added that it was a decision for the Fultons with their legal representative as to whether they appealed against the judgement.

The spokesman said that the couple's two-year-old daughter was being cared for by a family friend in the family home.

Courtesy of BBC