Gambia-L, Below is a statement I received a shortwhile ago from Amnesty International in London. Ebrima Ceesay Birmingham, UK. >From: [log in to unmask] >To: "ebrima ceesay" <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Urgent Action on Gambia - Amnesty International >Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 19:14:51 +0100 > > >AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL >URGENT ACTION >PUBLIC >AI Index: AFR 27/01/00 > >EXTRA 35/00 Excessive use of force by security forces 12 April > 2000 > >GAMBIA Fourteen people killed and at least 28 injured > > >Fourteen people were killed and at least 28 injured when security forces >used excessive and indiscriminate force to break up student-organized >protest demonstrations on 10 and 11 April 2000. Amnesty International is >concerned for the safety of those taking part in further demonstrations >anticipated in the coming days and weeks. > >The demonstrations, involving hundreds of people, were organized by the >Gambian Students Union (GAMSU) in Banjul, Brikama and other towns to >protest at the death of a 19-year-old student, Ebrima Barry, on 9 March, >reportedly after torture by Brikama Fire Service personnel, and the alleged >rape of a 13-year-old schoolgirl by a police officer the next day. > >The demonstrations went ahead despite a refusal by the authorities to grant >GAMSU a permit. The demonstration in Banjul on 10 April became violent when >the security forces tried to disperse crowds using tear gas and rubber >bullets. The security forces apparently fired indiscriminately into the >crowd when demonstrators began throwing stones at them, burning tyres and >setting fire to buildings, including fire stations and police stations. >Oumar Baro, a journalist and Gambia Red Cross volunteer, wearing Red Cross >insignia, was killed as he went to help injured demonstrators. > >The situation in the country remains tense with further demonstrations, >some violent, taking place in other towns on 11 April. The authorities have >closed all schools indefinitely and asked parents to keep their children at >home until further notice. Soldiers are patrolling the streets in Banjul to >maintain order. Of more than 100 demonstrators arrested, most have now been >charged or released. > >Government and police sources have said that six fire personnel suspected >of being responsible for the torture and death of Ebrima Barry have been >arrested, interrogated and remanded in custody pending a court hearing. It >is not clear whether any of the suspects have yet been charged. An official >autopsy, the results of which were made public at the end of March, >concluded that Ebrima Barry died of natural causes. GAMSU insists that the >government has not responded adequately to the alleged torture and death of >Ebrima Barry. > >Police have said they are carrying out a full investigation into the >alleged rape of the 13-year-old girl. Although a police identity parade has >reportedly been held, no suspects were identified and no one has been >charged. > >BACKGROUND INFORMATION > >After a military coup in 1994 the former chair of the ruling military >council, retired Colonel Yahya Jammeh, was elected president in >controversial elections in September 1996. Decrees were then passed banning >politicians in the former government from being politically active and >granting total immunity from prosecution to those who held power as a >result of the military coup in 1994 up until the return to civilian rule. >These decrees remain in force. > >RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/faxes/express/airmail letters in >English or your own language: >- expressing concern at excessive force used by security forces in breaking >up demonstrations in Banjul and other towns on 10 and 11 April 2000 >resulting in the deaths of at least 14 people and injuries to at least 28 >others; >- calling on the government to instruct security forces to abide by the >United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law >Enforcement Officials, which state that 'the intentional lethal use of >firearms may only be made when strictly unavoidable in order to protect >life'; >- urging the government to initiate a full and impartial investigation into >security force violence, including deaths and injuries of demonstrators, at >demonstrations held on 10 and 11 April and asking that all those found >responsible for human rights violations be immediately brought to justice; >- emphasizing the need for full, independent and impartial investigations >to be carried out into the alleged torture of Ebrima Barry by Brikama Fire >Service personnel on 9 March and the alleged rape of a 13-year-old >schoolgirl by a police officer on 10 March; >- urging the government to ensure that those found to be responsible in >these cases are charged and brought to justice without delay. > >APPEALS TO: >President and Minister of Defence >Captain (retd.) Yahya A.J.J.Jammeh >Office of the President >State House, Banjul >The Gambia >Telegrams: President, Banjul, Gambia >Faxes: + 220 227034 >Salutation: Dear President > >Minister of Interior >Honourable Ousman Badjie >Ministry of Interior >71 Dobson Street, Banjul >The Gambia >Telegrams: Interior Minister, Banjul, Gambia >Faxes: + 220 223063 >Salutation: Dear Minister > >Minister of Justice and Attorney-General >Honourable Pap Cheyassin Secka >Ministry of Justice >Marina Parade, Banjul >The Gambia >Telegrams: Justice Minister, Banjul, Gambia >Faxes: + 220 225352 >Salutation: Dear Minister > >Inspector General of Police >Inspector General Rex King >Police Headquarters >Buckle Street, Banjul >The Gambia >Salutation: Dear Inspector > >COPIES TO: >The Editor, The Point newspaper, PO Box 66, Banjul, The Gambia >Faxes: + 220 497442 > >The Editor, Daily Observer newspaper, PMB 131, Banjul, The Gambia >Faxes: + 220 496878 > >and to diplomatic representatives of Gambia accredited to your country. > >PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, >or your section office, if sending appeals after 12 May 2000. > >(See attached file: 12700100.wp) ><< 12700100.wp >> ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------