IN THE GAMBIA"

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The Movement for the Restoration of Democracy in The Gambia (UK) in conjunction with a cross-party group of British members of Parliament and representatives of the Gambian opposition parties will be holding a briefing session on The Gambia at the Houses of Parliament on the 28 February 2001.

 

The session will address among other issues, the democratic deficit in the Gambia, including:

 

(a) The withdrawal of basic civil liberties and

      democratic freedoms.

(b) The imprisonment and harassment of 

      opponents and opposition party members.

(c) The use of government sanctioned physical

      violence against the independent media.

(d) And the rejection by government of the report

      and findings of the Commission of Enquiry into

     last April student Massacre.

 

The meeting will also discuss the cancellation of Local government elections in the Gambia and issues surrounding the forthcoming Presidential and National Assembly elections this year.     

 

The Convenor of the meeting is Mr. John McDonnell, member of Parliament for the constituency of Hayes and Harlington. Speakers will include Ms. Diane Abbot MP, Mr. Jeremy Corbyn MP and representatives of various human rights groups.

 

Among others in attendance, will be representatives of the following organisations:

 

1. Members of the House of Common Foreign 

    Affairs Committee. 

2. Representatives of the Department for

    International Development.

3. Representatives of the Foreign and 

    Commonwealth Office.

4. Amnesty International.

5. Human Rights Watch.

6. International NGOs

    (i) Action Aid.

    (ii) C.A.F.O.D.

    (iii) C.R.S.

7. Centre for Democracy and Development.

8. Pan-Africanist International

9. Socialist International.

10.Liberal International

11.Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)      

 

Representatives of selected foreign Missions as well as the international and local British media will be in attendance

 

We are calling on all Gambians in the United Kingdom to attend. We also look forward to  welcoming Gambians from the wider Diaspora.

 

This will be the first of such sessions to be organised and we will inform interested parties of the dates of subsequent meetings. 

 

Nearest tube station: Westminster Station

Buses: 53, 159, 12. Please ask for alternative means of getting to the British Houses Of Parliament.

 

Then Proceed to the Saint Stevens Entrance where someone will be at hand to direct you to committee Room 10. 

 

We look forward to seeing you on the night.

 

                                                          MRDGUK

                                                          London

                                                          3 Feb. 2001