The following is culled from Burning Issues (FOROYAA Publication)
Wednesday, 7 March 2001
*********************************
Movement For The Restoration Of Democracy UK
A meeting under the auspices of the Movement for the Restoration of
democracy was convened by Mr. John Maccdonald Labour member of parliament
for the constituency of Hayes and Harlington, held in committee room 10 in
the House of Commons.
Present at the meeting were notable Gambian figures in the defunct PPP
regime. Ousted president Sir Dawda Jawara, former vice president Bakary B.
Darboe, Foday jarjusy, Omar O.J. Jallow, Mr. Bob or president Jawara's
protocol officer, ex-army officers, Colonel Ndow Njie, Deputy IG Chongan and
ADC Gassama. Also present was UDP member Femi Peters and NRP's Hamat Bah.
Ms. Diane Abbot Labour MP, Jeremy Corban MP and representatives of
International Human Rights and Non- Governmental Organisations were also in
attendance. Mr. James Bahoum chairman of the Movement for the Restoration
(M.R.D) represented the movement. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Maccdonald.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Maccdonald intimated that he became interested
in the Gambia as a result of a large settlement of Gambian asylum seekers
in his constituency Hayes and Harlington. He asserted that his objective is
to create a parliamentary link with M. R. D. and raise issues affecting
Gambia, so that democracy can be restored.
Mr. James Bahoum gave brief remarks thanking Mr. Maccdonald for his
assistance in enabling the movement to create partnership that would
highlight human rights affairs in parliament. He lamented the British
governments restoration of technical assistance to the Gambia especially in
the area of military affairs.
He remarked that this was a retrogressive step, which he hoped would be
revised and reversed. He further said that to achieve the goals of the
movement requires collective and concerted effort among all interested
parties.
He concluded by in fering that this is the first of a series of sessions to
follow.
Ms. Dian Abbot Labour MP for Hackney expressed personal support to the
movement. She said that the issue of human rights has become fashionable and
the Labour government is very selective on its human rights policy. She said
there are discrepancies in the way the British government is promoting and
defending human rights. She cited the Bombing of Iraq, Bosnia etc. while
gradually lessening its responsibilities in Africa. She argued that Britain
retains moral responsibilities as well as leadership role to play by using
its potential to counter travesty and violation of human rights.
Mr. Femi Peters was introduced as the person deputising for Mr. Ousaniou
Darboe leader of the UDP. He started by saying that since July 1994 there is
nothing but chaos and a catalogue of human rights violation in the Gambia;
that Democracy has been abrogated and the military junta is engaged in all
forms of human right violations, such as torture, detention without trial,
dismissal of civil servants sympathising with opposition parties.
Interference in the judicial system ''firing'' judges at will and even
extra judicial killings. He further lamented the consequences of the regime'
s rule of terror such as the brain drain in the country. Lack of regard and
respect for the constitution as well as institutions such as the IEC.
The use of intimidation and terror tactics using the President's Youth
Action Group as well as the July 22nd Movement. Principal agent was
identified as Mr. Baba Jobe who was described as Libyan Trained terrorist.
He mentioned the NIA as an agent of terror which goes about arresting their
leaders, detain and torture them. Tata Camara and one deceased member were
mentioned as victims. He continued to highlight the gross violation of human
rights. He asserted that coups are regularly fabricated and people
unjustifiably accused. People are arrested without any warrants. He
concluded by saying that the coroners inquest on the murder of the school
children was rejected.
Mr. Hamat Bah leader of NRP started by thanking the deposed Gambian
president Sir Dawda Jawara for helping the Gambian Nation. He described Sir
Dawda as a great man - a man of distinct qualities with humilities.
He referred to as lies that the former president was corrupt. He said even a
poor person like him is better of than Jawara. He said he went to the
ex-president's dwelling and it is modest and humble he said there is no way
that jawara could have been corrupt as is generally alleged.
Then he dwelt on the history of the Gambia's political independence, saying
that many including the UK doubted the Gambia's ability to have independence
but through Jawara's perseverance, independence was granted. He cited that
Jawara was offered 35, 000 Pounds to integrate Gambia with Senegal. He said
he first accepted it but later refused and opted for an Independent Gambia.
He referred to Jawara as the father of the Nation, a man of vision who was
very good, but surrounded by bad people. Despite this he expressed
reservation saying jawara had some mistakes to which he Jawara would accede
to. He called upon Gambians to return to the Gambia and use their wealth of
experience and knowledge to contribute towards national development. He
cited human rights as a fundamental issue of concern - especially the April
10th and 11th incident which resulted in school children being killed.
Children who were within their democratic rights to demonstrate. He
emphasised that this was an event that cannot be forgotten and the
perpetrators of such injustice should be prosecuted. He further argued that
decree 89 should be repealed to allow all those banned to participate in the
political process. He urged those banned to take the initiative and unban
themselves instead of waiting for things to be handed on a silver plate. He
further argued on this point saying that some banned politicians are already
active by joining the APRC. He went on to argue that it was gross injustice
for the commissions to seize peoples properties. He indicated that these
people worked hard to acquire their properties. He urged that all the
properties seized should be returned to their owners. He described the
commission as ''kangaroo courts'' inferring it a quote from the ''great man'
' Jawara. He strongly argued that corruption is more rife now than ever
before. He further argued that hospitals are starved of facilities and
medicaments, inspite of new infrastructures being built. He said that Jawara
inherited backward country that he developed; that there were only 41
primary schools and two referral hospitals. He intimated that Jawara has
done a lot and he could testify to that. He said just before the coup there
were plans to provide electricity for the entire nation, but the coup
aborted those programmes. He mentioned the ''Gate Way Project'' which he
said was a development programme initiated by Jawara the great man.
He said Gambia was referred to as the shopping basket of West Africa. He
talked about the need to forge a relationship with the west to enhance
democracy in the Gambia. He referred to a term ''comparative democracy''. He
indicated that comparative democracy is what is needed; that the fundamental
would be the different circumstances in different countries. In conclusion,
he thanked the ''father of the nation'' jawara for his vision and humility.
Omar Jallow (O.J) Stared by insisting that the MRD is an organisation free
from partisanship. He said the organisation belongs to no political party
and is opened to all Gambians.
He said Africans must not run away from the continent, that the African
continent has the potential and capacity to fulfil its needs. He said what
is happening today in Africa is worse than slavery days, that Africans are
now oppressing their fellow Africans, he said we should stand up against
oppression and die for liberty for the sake of the future generations. He
urged the Gambian people to put pressure on the opposition parties to join
hands. He said that the Gambia is bigger than any one. Jawara, Ousainou
Darboe, Assan Musa Camara and Sheriff Mustapha Dibba. He said to create a
genuine sustainable democracy people must forge alliances.
He narrated the long standing relationship between the Gambia and the UK
dating as far back as 400 years. He said the UK government has the duty to
intervene to ensure democratic rule - before it's too late like Sierra
Leone. He said that the potential exists and the writing is on the wall for
every one to see. He said if they do not do so now they will send their
children tomorrow.
On Jawara, he said he is a great man of democratic credentials. He said at
independence, Jawara was the only statesman to have refused one party rule
unlike many of his contemporaries. Jawara he said implemented the rule of
law, human rights and regular elections. Testimony to Jawara's commitments
to human rights was the resolution to sponsor for example Steve Biko Day,
Commonwealth, Human Rights Commission and the African centre for Human
Rights which is located in The Gambia. He asserted that these are clear
testimonies to Jawara's commitment to the rule of law and human rights.
He went on to narrate his experience of human rights violation under the
AFPRC.
He said he was arrested eleven times and that he was incarcerated for 14
months at one time. During this time, he said he was denied toothbrush,
bathing and changing of clothes. He said there was no privacy at all and no
visits from his family. He said he used to sleep on a concrete floor,
isolated in a cell with no doors and windows and he was under constant
guard.
He appealed to Mr. Maccdonald to urge Tony Blair and Robin Cook, whom he
referred to as traditional allies, to take Gambia's case with the security
council. He said Jammeh like all other dictators will run away like Idi
Amin, Mobuto etc. He said he O.J will not leave the Gambia because he owes
it to the voters and the ''Pa'', the old man.
He said upon arrival at the airport, he will face journalists and repeat all
his assertions. He said elections cannot be free and fair under the present
set up. He said the transition from military to civil rule is still
incomplete since all local government positions are still manned by APRC
members not mandated by the electorate.
Jeremy Cobin Labour MP introduced himself as the vice chairman of the
parliamentary human rights group and said that he came to learn rather than
lecture. He said any democracy must have the presence of an independent
parliament free, fair and open; it must also have an uncontrolled judiciary
and an accountable police force and more crucially access to the media.
He mentioned the recent commemoration of the holocaust and the need to do
the same for slavery which was equally heinous. He reflected on the past
when African nations were vying for independence. He referred to the
perseverance and bravery of those who demanded it. He said there was
political independence and not economic independence.
He assured his determination to put pressure and raise questions for greater
openness.
Ex-president Jawara was introduced by the chairman as a respectable man in
the UK.
He started by saying that having seen the passion and commitment, he did not
have much to say but that he was impressed. He expressed concern for the
abuse of human rights and bad governance in the Gambia. He said removing
Jammeh requires drastic actions from Gambians. He thanked John Maccdonald
for the interest and commitment shown to refugees to regain freedom and
rights as citizens and to help maintain democracy based on the traditions of
the UK.
He said as a student he learned to respect human rights, as he was a member
of the Forward Group at Glasgow University, a group that believed in the
Universal application of human rights. He said he brought the African
Commission of human rights to the Gambia and now it is ironic that Gambia is
the worst abuser on the continent.
He said the dictator is designing the whole political process for indefinite
perpetuation. He said that 2001 is crucial for the election and that is if
elections are held he cannot envisage a free and fair elections and there
are many ifs he said. He urged the APRC to annul decrees 89, 70 and 71. He
also called upon the international community to monitor the elections if
election s are held.
Report
By
Malick Kah
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