Gambia Government Being Grilled Over its Appalling Human Rights Records
ADVANCE QUESTIONS TO THE GAMBIA
CZECH REPUBLIC
· Does the Government of Gambia consider issuing a standing invitation to the UN human rights Special Procedures
Does the Government of Gambia consider ratifying the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 
and its Optional Protocol and establishing the National Preventive Mechanism in accordance with the provisions of the said Protocol?
· Does the Government of Gambia consider criminalization of torture, extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances and unlawful arrests, so that these human rights violations would be
criminal offences? What particular measures does the Government intend to adopt in order to prevent such acts and secure effective and impartial investigation when these occur?
· Does the Government of Gambia consider a legal ban of FGM and the practice of forced marriages?
· Noting the fact that opposition parties regularly boycott general elections in Gambia, what measures is the Government of Gambia preparing or implementing to achieve participation of all political parties including opposition parties in future elections? What measures are being prepared to ensure exercise of the right to vote by all citizens without any intimidation?
GERMANY
Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 09:55:10 -0700
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Is this ignorance or intellectual dishonesty?
To: [log in to unmask]
Honestly Malanding, what we have in Gambia today is a veritable and mind-boggling circus of lies and make-believe! Food self-sufficiency by the year 2016 indeed! Poverty reduced, rights respected! It seems as if the lies are competing at a march past all limits and boundaries of decency! It is equally mind-boggling that Yahya Jammeh has to be addressed "His Excellency the President, Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya A.J.J Jammeh Babili Mansa"!!!! Talk about Jammeh suffering from a particularly bad case of "small man syndrome."
May God rid us of this nauseating mind-sore!
Thanks for sharing.
Baba
Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 09:59:35 -0400
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Is this ignorance or intellectual dishonesty?
To: [log in to unmask]
Burama,
A quick correction. Yes, I was director/assist. director but "Acting". And that was a generation ago, "Jawara jamano"! Forestry may have been one of the best but not as good as NIB- National Investment Board where the right honorable Touray worked. The NIB was the "creme de la creme". The NIB transitioned to GIPFZA and that later morphed into Gambia investment and Export Promotion Agency GiEPA. Those in the know will tell you that honorable Touray is technically one of the most qualified Minister for Finance since Babili came to the scene. It will be irresponsible to second guess what he meant to say.
My beef is with The Point Newspaper that decided to print the honorable minister's statement without asking for details or qualifications.
Malanding
On 10/27/2014 3:07 PM, Burama Jammeh wrote:
A quick correction. Yes, I was director/assist. director but "Acting". And that was a generation ago, "Jawara jamano"! Forestry may have been one of the best but not as good as NIB- National Investment Board where the right honorable Touray worked. The NIB was the "creme de la creme". The NIB transitioned to GIPFZA and that later morphed into Gambia investment and Export Promotion Agency GiEPA. Those in the know will tell you that honorable Touray is technically one of the most qualified Minister for Finance since Babili came to the scene. It will be irresponsible to second guess what he meant to say.
My beef is with The Point Newspaper that decided to print the honorable minister's statement without asking for details or qualifications.
Malanding
On 10/27/2014 3:07 PM, Burama Jammeh wrote:
[log in to unmask]">Poverty or rate of poverty?
Not sure if he knows what he's talking about - poverty reduced by x% and/or rate of poverty (growth) reduced by Y%.
You were Director/Asst. Director at Forestry at one time - must know how we are careless about numbers at budget/plans. In fact Forestry is one of the best with accurate data - GTZ.We're in Abigail mess at almost all fronts.
Burama¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
On Monday, October 27, 2014, Malanding Jaiteh <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
A wise guy once said, "to whom much is given much is expected".
Journalist and reputable new outlets must not forget their duty to
society . I believe the Point Newspaper owes its readership an
explanation as how "the overall poverty rate in The Gambia had declined
steadilyby about 10 percentage points to 48.4% in 2010 and it was
estimated to decline to 36 percent in 2013" . Seriously, what led to
the 25% decline in 4yrs? What poverty measures is the good minister
talking about? When were they compiled and by whom?
Malanding
Finance Minister says poverty rate in Gambia declines to 36%
Africa » Gambia
Monday, October 27, 2014
The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Kebba Touray, has said the
overall poverty rate in The Gambia had declined steadilyby about 10
percentage points to 48.4% in 2010 and it was estimated to decline to 36
percent in 2013.
The Finance minister announced this in a statement delivered at the
commemoration of the 69th anniversary of the UN, held at Kairaba Beach
Hotel on Friday.
According to Hon. Touray, in education, the population of pupils
starting Grade 1 reached 95.3% in 2011, and the country is set to
achieve the MDG target of 100% by 2015.
“This development also parallels our achievements in the area of health,
where child mortality indicators have now surpassed MDG targets
according to the latest Demographic Health Survey (2013),” he said.
In 2012, The Gambia noted a historic event with the passing into law of
a comprehensive National Women’s Act that aims to address underlying
issues of violence against women, economic empowerment, political
participation and leadership for women.
On peace and security, Minister Touray said The Gambia continues to
contribute troops in peacekeeping operations with a dedication to the
restoration of peace and stability to many fragile states around the world.
“Our peacekeepers are separating warring parties and supporting peace
consolidation efforts in conflict zones,” he said.
“We take great pride in upholding the doctrine of peace not just an
objective inherited in the UN Charter, but also as a core value.
“On terrorism, The Gambia stands firm and uncompromising and joins the
rest of the world in condemning the inhumane acts of terrorism
perpetrated in the name of religion.”
The Finance minister further stated that The Gambia maintains a zero
tolerance policy for such acts of violence, in addition to strict local
laws.
“We have also ratified key UN Security Council Resolutions on Counter
Terrorism,” he said. On humanitarian interventions and support, Minister
Touray continued: “I wish to state that The Gambia has demonstrated
concern matched by financial support to the Ebola-affected countries of
Guinea and Sierra Leone.”
The Gambia “calls on the world to stand up to this deadly disease,”
minister Touray added.
“The virus has already become a global citizen and the untold economic
and health consequence is already being felt by even the Ebola-free
countries let alone the affected countries ones,” the minister went on.
“The Gambia welcomes the decision of the UN SG to appoint a special
envoy on Ebola.”
The Finance minister stated the Gambia government’s unreserved
association with this year’s UN theme - “Youth: A Valuable Partner in
Improving Food Security and Reducing Poverty - as it falls in line with
The Gambia’s national development agenda.
“The Gambia is sharply focused on the agenda of youth participation and
food security, as evidenced by the recent proclamation and shared Vision
2016 by His Excellency the President, Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya
A.J.J Jammeh Babili Mansa, which is to attain food self-sufficiency by
2016,” he said.
The country had made remarkable strides in improving food security, he
added.
Minister Touray on behalf of the government and the people of The Gambia
commended the UN Family on the special day, and assured them of The
Gambia’s continued commitment to work with the United Nations to
bringing about a just and secure world where everyone shares in the
abundant prosperity it offers.
Author: Abdoulie Nyockeh
Source: Picture: Finance Minister Kebba Touray
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