IFJ Condemns Crackdown on Media in Gambia
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned massive
arrests of members and leaders of independent media organizations in
Gambia, including the Gambia Press Union (GPU) an IFJ affiliate.
"We firmly condemn these massive arrest of journalists and leaders of the
Gambia Press Union. This climate of terror against the journalists and the
media is unacceptable," said Gabriel Baglo, Director of IFJ Africa Office.
"The unprecedented arrests and illegal detention of journalists in The
Gambia are systematic violations of the fundamental rights of journalists
orchestrated by the Yahya Jammeh regime to suppress freedom of expression
in the country. It is a callous attempt to silence the media and press
freedom."
On Monday 16 June, seven Gambian journalists were arrested and detained
for questioning. Three GPU executive members were summoned and arrested in
the morning by the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). They are Emil
Touray, Secretary General , Sarata Jabbi, First Vice President and Pa
Modou Faal- GPU Treasurer. By midday, Pap Saine and Ebrima Sawaneh,
respectively editor and deputy editor of The Point newspaper were also
arrested by the NIA. In the evening, Sam Sarr and Abubucarr Saidykhan,
respectively editor and reporter of Foroyaa newspaper were also picked up
by the agents from the NIA.
Pap Saine had just been released by the Banjul magistrate court following
charges brought against him for obtaining Gambian identity card and
passport by false pretence when he was asked to continue to the NIA
headquarters in Banjul straight from the court.
Relatives and human rights lawyers have tried to reach both the NIA
authorities and the Police to secure the release of these journalists,
without success.
The IFJ calls on the Gambia Government to immediately and unconditionally
release all seven journalists. In the same vein, the IFJ also calls on the
Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, and Dr Ibn Chambas,
President of the ECOWAS Commission to demand the immediate release of the
journalists and the restoration of press freedom in the Gambia.
For more information, contact +221 33 867 95 87
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide
Gambia, West Africa, Africa, Press Release
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