I am compelled to ask this question for various reasons. The Coalition of human right lawyers are sitting idlying without challenging the infamous media Commission Act in the courts. Even though, they were asked by the Gambia Press Union to pursue the matter, according to sources the lawyers are not keen are not determine to pursue the case. They have obtained all the relevant information regarding the case from parties pursuing the matter, but may be due to monetary reasons they are not active in defending freedom and democracy. These lawyers are said to be demanding about $13,000 dollars from poor journalists, inorder to pursue the case. They earlier said, they will extend their help to the press union, but this is never the case now. Pherps the money is not forthcoming and they decided to adopt wait and see attitude. These lawyers stand to be accused of not being committed to their profession, since they are relutant to defend freedom, which is one of their mandates as human right lawyers. Free press is very essential in any true democracy. And as things stand now, the independent media in the Gambia, is under attack. We all know that the Media commission, is purposely designed to end press freedom in the Gambia. The Bar Association, which the coalition is a member took the right decision, when it boycotted its seat at the commission. This was welcomed by all and sundry. This is what we expected from true human right defenders. You don't wait to be told to do your job. When freedom is threatened, you should act without delay. May be for one reason or the other, you decided not fight this important case in the courts. You should emulate your colleagues in other sister countries, who devoted all their time, energy and resources in defending poor litigants. You should provide free legal services to poor litigants who are often send to jail in some instances for lack of proper legal representation. We don't expect you to defend every one going to court, but there are certain human right cases which your services are needed. Your work as human right activists is all about scarifice. The issue of money should be a secondary matter. Some of your colleagues in the sub-region were sent to jail, due to their human right work. They devoted all their time in defending freedom and democracy. Therefore, if you want to win the respesct of Gambians, you must adopt a new approach to your work. I am sorry to say that you have not been living up to the people's expectations. Its time to help the poor and the needy. Be reminded that history is here to judge all of us. We must be sincere to our work and forget about the issue of money. Without freedom, your aspiration to get wealthy will not be realised. When the Jammeh administration fired justice Hassan Jallow, the Bar boycotted the courts in protest. They accused the regime of interfering with the judiciary. Again, their action was hailed both locally and internationally. Without an independent judiciary, the citizen's rights could be in jeapordy. So the Bar's protest was indeed necessary. Your protest action was considered as healthy for the country's fragile democracy. That for the first time in history, you are bold enough to launch a nationwide protest, defending judicial independence. Now the independent press is in trouble, the coalition of human right lawyers are still folding their hands. Are you really committed to your work? I doubt it very much. There is no human right case today in the Gambia, which is more serious than the media Commission. We all know that this piece of legislation is not enhancing the growth of the independent media. It will surely kill the private press. Do you want to be classified as a party aiding and abading this draconian law? Your slow intervention send negative singnals on your credibility. You are expected to defend freedom, no matter what it will take. We are told that Hawa Sisay Sabally a former Attorney General had decided to provide free services to the press Uninion. She abandoned all her office work and devoted her time in this high profile case. I don't intend to bring any division in the Bar, but i must say that Hawa is a true human right activist. She doesn't place money ahead of her profession. She is committed to defend freedom and Gambia. This is what we expect from human right lawyers. I must repeat, the issue of money should be a secondary matter. If we have Hawa's types in the coalition am sure many poor litigants will enjoy the fruits of freedom and justice. I know she is a member of the coalition of human right defenders. But why is she pursuing the case alone? I think you should help us with answers. Other sources went on to say that the coalition demanded $15,000 dollars as a part payment to this controversial and important case. But Hawa said she is intrested in defending her country. She set aside the issue of money and decided to take over this controversial and important case. This woman is a role model. She will be remembered by history. She is the first lawyer to challenge the indemnity Act, which bared members of the security forces linked to the deaths of the student unrest of April 10 and 11 from prosecution. She want the country to operate within the confines of the constitution and democracy. If you are a coward, don't take up human right work. It is not about money, but total scarifice. The coalition should put its house inorder. Defending the media, means defending freedom and justice. You cannot have a just society and government without a sound and vibrant press. _________________________________________________________________ Add photos to your e-mail with MSN 8. 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