Nothing was more exciting today than to have heard about the Justice commission that was set up in Nigeria to review all human rights abuses committed since 1966. This confirms that justice may tarry but shall never go astray, the mere fact that past presidents and military rulers are being subjected to judicial questioning before a legally composed comission to answer to allegations brought by the people is clear testimony that the African people are beggining to put Human Rights at the top of their political concerns. This therefore is a warning to all those in power, using brute force to subjugate the people that a day of reckoning is always there. I hope a commission of this type would be replicated all over Africa, so that any one in position of trust would ensure fair play and the rule of law instead as is normally the case the rule of might. The Gambia would surely have to compose such a commission in future to review all the violations of Human Rights since 1981 to date. I know a lot of people would not want to revisit the Jawara era as one of the most henious period coupled with that of the Jammeh era , many live in a state of denial but Human Rights violations under Jawara ought to be analysed in as much as that of Jammeh, they may not belong in the same league but they are equally as bad. I can recall when Jawara imposed a state of emmergency for almost four years, may of the draconian laws we see jammeh practice now were then promulgated, laws such as the notorious indemnity clause. Not only that but the humilliations that people were subjected daily and the tortures that went inside the Bakau Barracks all these cannot be just forgotten especially those who wnt through the ordeal, I can remember elderly statesmen such the late Alhaji Sulayman Sarr the humilliation and suffering they went through. All these merit a through review of that dark moment of our history. As for Jammeh he would be a fool not to learn, he may control state power now but the way power eludes is amazing one moment you feel like God the next minute you become an absolute nonentity, so all the arrogance and the use of threats is real folly after power belongs to none but the people. If any day the Gambian peoplke wake up to such a reality it does not matter how many tanks or missiles you have you would have to go. I hope you are aware of the reality of such a commission and remember that all that is beneath the carpet shall one day come out in the open. As regards the decree you abolished it is a step in the right direction,eventhough the ramifications are still not very clear, none the less we are a lot better of without. Having said that I hope you will remember that peoplle like DUMO SAHO are still languishing in jail, despite not being charged against. I would urge you to realease the brother unconditionally. The only crime Dumo has committed was a crime of principle whiles some of his friends such as Sarjo, Salieu,and many others are collaborating with you and enjoying the fruits of privilege he refused to join you thuggery. I remeber Dumo he is an honest law abiding person with lots of dignity. To remove decree whatever and assume us to forget the crimes of incacerating political prisoners in the name of security is not only barbaric but cowardly. I would call on all the sisters and brothers to raise Dumos issue as a matter of priority, we should make a concerted campaign to ensure that he is release4d uncoditionally. There cannot be justice in the country untill such gross violations of rights are stopped, so the struggle should not only focus on the decrees but H uman rights. _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------