Culled from the GambiaNet Web Site Date October 31, 2000 At least eight bars and motels believed to be the haunt of sex workers around Serrekunda were vandalised and set on fire last night by marauding gangs. The burnt and vandalised bars include Mama Jankeh Wally Bar, Traveller's Lodge, All Eyes Bar, Sillah Lodge, Njie Sahara, City Pub, Emma's Rendezvous and Countdown Bar and Restaurant. Weilding stones and cutlasses and carrying cans of kerosene, the attackers were said to be chanting, "We are fed up with prostitutes!" Earlier yesterday, the police issued a press release stating that following the attacks, policemen assisted by officers of the National Guard were deployed at the scenes and brought the situation under control. The police said arrests were made and a full-scale investigation was launched. OVER 60 ARRESTED Posted by GambiaNet, Wednesday, November 1, 2000 At least 64 people have been arrested in connection with the attack on sex workers and the destruction of several bars that occured on Monday evening. Among them were 20 non-Gambians. Most of the detainees have been held at Kairaba police station. Police insiders said that they are still on the lookout for more people and that their investigations were progressing well. The police source also confirmed that 13 bars and motels were attacked; 3 were burnt down and 6 were seriously vandalised. The source also revealed that although the attacks were an organised crime, there was no link to any religious movement as speculated by a number of people. Meanwhile, Isatou Touray, a leading gender activist, has condemned the mistreatment meted out to women suspected of being sex workers. Speaking at Gamcotrap office yesterday, Isatou Touray urged the government to bring the perpetrators to book. She deplored that the women were subjected to mental and physical torture, which she said was a gross violation of their fundamental rights. She also complained about the slow pace of justice in cases involving women. __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at http://profiles.msn.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 You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------