Fear Rules: Life Imprisonment for Wearing a T-Shirt
The Deteriorating Human Rights Situation in
Gambia
Event co-hosted by Amnesty International UK and the Bar
Human Rights Committee (BHRC)
12 June 2013 at 6.00 pm
Venue: Amnesty International UK, 17-25 New Inn Yard, London,
EC2A 3EA. Get directions
Outline
The human rights situation in Gambia, already poor, has deteriorated markedly in recent
years. In August 2012, for the first time in nearly 30 years, the death penalty was carried out,
as nine death row inmates were executed without prior notification. Government opponents
and human rights defenders face arbitrary arrest, torture and detention. The judiciary lack
independence and government opponents are continuously prosecuted in a system devoid of
free and fair trial. The President has repeatedly issued vitriolic homophobic statements and
threatened to "cut off the head" of any LGBT person found in the country. As a result of the
human rights situation, significant numbers of Gambians seek asylum in the UK every year.
The aim of the seminar is to raise awareness as to the human rights situation in Gambia and
the experiences of Gambian nationals seeking international protection in the UK. The event
will be followed by a reception.
Speakers
· Dr. Amadou Scattred Janneh Founder member and Coordinator of the ‘Coalition for
Change – The Gambia’ (CCG) and previously served as Gambia’s Minister of Information
and Communications. Dr Janneh was arrested in June 2011 and sentenced to life
imprisonment for distributing t-shirts that featured the slogan “End to Dictatorship
Now”. He was released in September 2012.
· Ndey Tapha Sosseh Secretary General of Civil Society Associations Gambia (CSAG)
and also a founder member and Secretary General of CCG. Mr Ndey Tapha was also
charged with treason in 2011, relating to the distribution of t-shirts by CCG and charged
in absentia.
· Ben Cooper Barrister at Doughty Street Chambers. He specialises in extradition
law. Full profile
· Paul Dillane Amnesty International UK’s Refugee Researcher and responsible for the
organisation’s involvement in refugee litigation in the UK.
Chaired by:
· Kirsty Brimelow QC BHRC Chairwoman. Barrister at Doughty Street Chambers. Full profile
The event is free of charge. Please RSVP directly to
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2 CPD (in application)
                                          

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