TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Dear Sir/Madam,

A very tragic chapter in the history of our beloved nation, The Gambia, occurred on the 10^th. And 11^th. April 2000 when security forces opened fire and killed 14 and injured at least 28 people including a Red Cross volunteer and journalist, Omar Barrow, during an unarmed demonstration organised by students. The students were protesting the torture and murder of a fellow student Ebrima Barry by Fire Service personnel, and the rape of a 13-year old school girl, Binta Manneh, by a police officer. Hundreds of students have since been arrested and distraught parents do not know whether their children are among the dead or imprisoned.

We the undersigned, as concerned citizens, respectfully request you and your organization to keep pressure on the Government of The Gambia to immediately:

- instruct the security forces to halt all excessive use of force against civilians;

- release all the students currently under detention;

- release the names of those killed and release their bodies to their relatives for proper burial;

- launch an independent enquiry into the shootings and circumstances surrounding it;

- ensure that all security personnel found to have used excessive force resulting in human rights abuses will be fully dealt with according to the provisions of the law;

- instruct the security forces to exercise maximum restraint during demonstrations slated for next week;

- ensure that those responsible for the murder of Ebrima Barry and the rape of Binta Manneh are prosecuted to the maximum extent of the law without undue delay;

- ensure that all security personnel abide by the Constitution of The Republic of The Gambia and all international laws and treaties of which The Gambia is a signatory;

While awaiting your kind co-operation in this most urgent of matter of matters, we take the opportunity to sincerely thank you and your organization for your concern.

Sincerely,

Concerned Citizens of The Gambia.