Published in FOROYAA of 10-14 June, 1999.


AUTHORITIES SAY NYASSI  IS NOT UNDER THE CUSTODY OF THE POLICE, N.I.A. OR
ANY SECURITY FORCE

Letter To Shyngle Nyassi's Family


We have been making efforts to find out what has happened to Shyngle Nyassi.
We have addressed a number of letters to the Head of State and had requested
for his release if he is detained by the State.

There are definite laws which should govern the arrest and detention of
individuals. We have made reference to these laws in the letters we
addressed to the President, among others. However, we have come to gather
that Shyngle Nyassi is not under the custody of the National intelligence
Agency (NIA), the police or any security force.

In short, he is not under lawful arrest and detention. This makes the
situation a bit complicated. It simply means that Shyngle Nyassi has been
abducted by people who are not pursuing law enforcement procedures.

It is, therefore, necessary to take a new approach to the situation. The
family members, who have witnessed his abduction, should immediately go to
Brikama Police Station to give report of Shyngle Nyassi's abduction. They
should ensure that an accurate report is given of what they saw. The matter
would then be taken up from there.

On the other hand, through this open letter, we hope that those who are
currently holding Shyngle Nyassi under custody would understand the
implications. If anything happens to him, the State will be compelled to
investigate. The end result is that the person or persons involved will
ultimately be the scapegoats. It is important for such people to bear in
mind that such mysterious disappearances of people can never give credit to
anybody they support.

Claims that Shyngle Nyassi has been insulting President Jammeh cannot serve
as defence for his abduction. This country has laws, and people should not
take the law into their own hands. Once each person takes the law into his
or her own hands, our society  would be transformed into a jungle where the
fittest survive. It is to the best interest of his abductors to take him
back to his home before it is too late. The longer they take to act, and the
more they subject him to any form of degradation, the bigger the crime and
the severer the penalty.

In your trying moments, as a family, please be assured of the support of all
Gambians who want to see maturity displayed on all sides of the political
spectrum so as to ensure peaceful co-existence among our people.



Halifa Sallah
For: The Central Committee

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