UK Government to Facilitate Independent Investigations on the cases of Ebrima Manneh and Deyda Hydara through UN and Commonwealth
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UK Government to Facilitate Independent Investigations on the cases of Ebrima Manneh and Deyda Hydara through UN and Commonwealth
The Gambia government have finally bow down to pressure and have committed to request international support to facilitate investigations into the disappearnce of Chief Ebrima Manneh and the murder of Deyda Hydara.
"We are pleased that the Gambia government acquiesced to our repeated calls and they have now committed to request international support to facilitate investigations into the disappearnce of Chief Ebrima Manneh and murder of Deyda Hydara.We wait a formal request from the Gambian side,and once recieved,we will facilitate contact for international support for investigations into both cases through the United Nations and Commonwealth",the UK Foreign Office told Glasgow based Campaign for Human Rights in Gambia UK.(CHRG).
The Foreign Office made this revelation recently while addressing concerns made by Arthur West Chairman Campaign for Human Rights in The Gambia UK on the critical human rights situation in The Gambia and what measures taken by the FCO to wage on Gambian authorities to respect human rights and to investigate political killings.
The Scottish based Campaign for Human Rights in The Gambia have since inception been working closely with the Foreign Office, senior politicians,pro-democracy group and human rights organisations to address Gambias dismal human rights situation.
In july 2010 CHRG-UK through its Campaign Officer Alieu Badara Ceesay secured British and Scottish Parliaments opposition to the abuse of human rights in The Gambia through a parliamentary motion in both houses with cross party support.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office(FCO) said at the meeting on April 12 attended by six Gambian ministers,the EU delegation also reiterated calls for the Gambian government to consider repealing the provisions in the Criminal Code that allows for prosecution on the charge of sediton or false publication or for prison terms to be imposed.
The letter stated for now the FCO will continue to press the Gambian governement to act on the agreed commitments they have made during the Article 8 discussions.
"We will emphasis to the Gambians that the credibility of the Presidental elections later this year will be an important indicator of Gambia`s geniune commitment to progress towards demaocracy and the rule of law"The letter said.
According to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, EU budget support to The Gambia has been suspended since April 2010 and will be reviewed at the end of 2011 adding despite calls from the Gambian government to resume this budget support,if progress on the overall political and accountability enviroment is not evident the EU will not lift this suspension.The letter emphasis
The EU delegation noted that although there have been attempts by the Gambian government to make progress on governace and human rights there was still progress to be made."We urged the Gambian government to ensure transparency and inclusiveness in the run up to the presidential elections later this year and reiterated our concerns on the lack of concrete improvements on freedom of expression,freedom of the media and freedom of political parties activities".The letter concluded.
Alieu Badara Ceesay CHRG Campaign Officer said the Gambia campaign will wait and see if the Gambian government will honour their commitment as it has a track records of breaking their promise to the international community."We appluad the Foreign Office for standing up for fundamental human rights in The Gambia and working hand in glove with CHRG in addressing the human rights situation in The Gambia".
For more information
Contact Campaign for Human Rights in The Gambia UK
Glasgow,United Kindom
www.gambiacampaign.org
twitter@gambiacampaign
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