Amnesty International


In reaction to the re-election of President Adama Barrow over the weekend in the first election since the departure of Yahya Jammeh, Michèle Eken, Amnesty International West Africa researcher said:

“As he starts a second term in office, President Adama Barrow must tackle the huge challenge of ending impunity for human rights violations committed during the regime of former President Yahya Jammeh which starts with prosecuting alleged perpetrators in fair trials before criminal courts.

“The President’s agenda must also include the repeal of laws restricting freedom of expression and freedom of assembly which can still be liberally used to muzzle dissenting voices.

“We regret that President Barrow did not sign Amnesty International’s seven-point human rights manifesto contrary to several other presidential candidates,” Michèle Eken, Amnesty International West Africa researcher, said.

“In addition to protecting freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and fighting impunity, the manifesto includes commitments to take a tougher stance on ending sexual, gender-based violence and discrimination towards women, to promote access to food, employment, education, housing and health, to adopt a national law prohibiting torture and to remove death penalty provisions from Gambia’s statute books.

‘’It’s not too late for the President to make this clear commitment to tackle these pressing issues and we urge him to do so.”

Background

During the electoral campaign in November, Amnesty International delegates presented a seven-point human rights manifesto co-signed by 10 Gambian human rights organizations to as many political parties and candidates as possible.

Amnesty delegates met with eight political parties and candidates, seven of which signed the human rights manifesto including four presidential candidates.

Despite contacting President Barrow’s party multiple times by email, text and telephone, the delegation was unable to meet with them. Amnesty International sent the manifesto to them several weeks prior to election day but did not receive a response regarding the endorsement.

The commissioners of the Gambian Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission submitted their final report to President Adama Barrow on 25 November.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.

Send us your press releases to pressrelease.zawya@refinitiv.com


© Press Release 2021

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.