Strike while that iron is hot.

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GPU-USA PRESS RELEASE
 
Gambia Press Union-U.S. Branch condemns the arrest and prosecution of Point Newspaper proprietor Pap Saine

The Gambia Press Union – USA Branch Once again strongly condemns the recent arrest of Mr. Pap Saine, Proprietor of the Point Newspaper by Gambian authorities. Mr. Saine was arrested after he allegedly published an article on the arrest and detention of a Gambian diplomat. He has since been charged with false publication and broadcasting and is standing trial in the notorious Kanifing Magistrate court.

It could be recalled that Mr. Saine's associate and co-founder of the Point newspaper Mr. Deyda Hydara, was brutally murdered four years ago for simply being a fierce critique of the Jammeh regime. The Gambian Authorities have refused to launch a credible investigation or allow international independent groups to investigate Deyda's murder and bring the culprits to justice.

The Gambian regime under the dictatorship of President Jammeh continues to crack down on innocent journalists who are simply engaged in the exercise of their freedom of expression and publication as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia. 

Also, the whereabouts of journalist "Chief" Ebrima Manneh, who was arrested over two years ago by agents of the regime are still unknown. His family and press organizations across the globe have called on the Jammeh regime to honor the ECOWAS court ruling and immediately release Chief Manneh; but this call has been ignored by the regime.

It is ironic and hypocritical that the same Jammeh regime that recently awarded Mr. Pap Saine the nation's highest citizen award on his professionalism and immense contribution to national dialogue is now having him stand trial on false charges of false publication.

The government did not stop at charging Mr. Saine with false publication, but is also questioning his Gambian citizenship and threatening to deport him and his family to an unknown destination.  Mr. Saine was born and bred in Banjul and has clear evidence of his Gambian citizenship.

It is despicable for the Jammeh regime to engage in constant efforts to exile all its critiques especially journalists who continue to stand up against injustices in The Gambia. This crackdown on media houses and journalists must stop and we call on the regime to immediately release Mr. Pap Saine and all other journalists in their custody.

In yet another development which underscores the insanity of the Jammeh regime, decent citizens in the civil service and innocent civilians are being routinely rounded up and accused of engaging in witchcraft. The President is reported to have invited witchdoctors from outside the country who are humiliating innocent elders and women across the country.

The Gambia Press Union-USA is seriously concerned about the conduct of this regime which appears to have lost every sense of direction and responsibility in protecting the lives of our citizens. This madness of the regime must stop and Gambians must be free of such cult-like attitudes that rob innocent citizens of their basic human rights. 

We call on the regime to drop all charges against Pap Saine and release all journalists detained by the regime.  We also ask the international community to join us in sending a clear message to the Jammeh regime that intimidation and arrest of our citizens cannot silence our voices of dissent. Mr. Pap Saine's case serves as yet another clear example that Gambian journalists have never, and will never tolerate the systematic oppression habitually meted out to them by the Jammeh regime and its puppet judges.  We reserve the right to oppose and condemn in the strongest terms possible any violation of our rights by a regime that prides itself in oppressing its citizens and ignores the Constitution of the Gambia. 
 
 
Signed on behalf of the GPU-USA:
 
Demba Baldeh, Public Relations Officer
 
Baba Galleh Jallow, Secretary General
 
Cc:
 
Online Gambian Media
Gambia Post Forum
Gambia-L Forum
Media Foundation for West Africa
World Association of Newspapers
International Press Institute
Committee to Protect Journalists
Reporters Without Borders
Journalisterne, Denmark
Article 19
International Federation of Journalists
Commonwealth Press Union
Liberian Observer