In a message dated 11/27/99 9:53:25 PM Central Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes: << I commend the president for openly speaking tough/against corruption. However, there are some serious issues—like the alleged Human Rights abuses; the ... nocturnal extrajudicial kidnappings, to name a few—that need to be addressed. I therefore ask: what is the government doing to address those serious issues? Thank you for your time. Lamin Camara. >> ************************************ This is the million dollar question l think Lamin. Perhaps the government can start by vindicating themselves first in any allegations of corruption directed at them. Secondly, they can also take measures to alleviate any allegations of human rights violations, past or present, and implement measures that will assure all Gambians that their rights will be safeguarded as provided for in our constitution. To alleviate people's fears and assure them that this is so will not be automatically accepted by a population that has either witnessed instances of human rights abuses, or live in fear of it happening to them and their loved ones if they dare to speak the facts . Only if the governemnt sets a shining and sincere example by indulging in sincere self examination and acceptance of responsibility where they are found responsible for violation of rights, be it personal rights or the freedom of speech of any individual, then their intention to curb corruption and persecute the perpetrators of it will be seen as genuine, as opposed to it being a tool to make scapegoats out of individuals. Jabou Joh ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------