Commonwealth delegates condem
Uganda-Commonwealth-human rights
 

 
Commonwealth delegates condemn human rights abuses in Gambia 
 
APA-Kampala (Uganda) Delegates at the Commonwealth human rights forum in Kampala on Monday condemned extrajudicial killings and suppression of media freedom in Gambia and Zimbabwe, saying that the political leaders in those countries be held accountable.
The director of nongovernmental organizations in the Gambia, Ousman Yabo said there is no room for human rights civil society organizations in that country and more needs to be done to pressurize the government to comply with treaties and protocols regarding rights.
He said nongovernmental organizations in the Gambia are only in the service and humanitarian sector.
Yabo suggested that military men turned politicians should be investigated and the information used in advocacy programmes, given their questionable performance in countries like the Gambia and Uganda.
Nana Oye Lithur, the Africa regional director for Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative said extra judicial killings and disappearance of 50 Africans in the Gambia in July 2005 have been investigated and a steady campaign mounted to obtain justice for the victims.
She said the facts surrounding the incident are a testimony of human rights abuses committed in a deliberate and systematic manner.
She joined the voices of those recommending to the forthcoming Commonwealth heads of state meeting to pressurize Gambian President Yahya Jammeh to account for the injustice and take responsibility to prosecute all the perpetrators.
Aside from the criminal justice measures, diplomatic action against the Gambian government should be considered, Lithur said in a statement.
\\\"We therefore recommend that that the Gambia government’s membership to the Commonwealth Association be suspended as a short term measure to ensure compliance with its human rights commitments,” she concluded.
Delegates also expressed concern over the appalling situations in Zimbabwe and Pakistan, saying the legislation in those countries contravenes Commonwealth political principles and values.
Renowned constitutional lawyer Yash Ghai said the biggest victims of human rights abuse are women, children and immigrants.
He also attributed gross violations to poverty, corruption and poor legislation.
 
JM/pm/APA 
19-11-2007

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