British MPs Calls for Diplomatic Action Against Gambia Government: EDM raises concerns over the recent election in Gambia

Scotland–28 March 2012
Twenty-six British MPs have signed a House of Commons Cross Party Early Day Motion (EDM 2727), which calls on the UK Government to take diplomatic action and lead the international community in redoubling its efforts to ensure that The Gambia ends human rights abuses.

The EDM, tabled by Liberal Democrat MP Jo Swinson who doubled as the Parliamentary Private Secretary to UK`s Secretary of State for Business and Inovation Rt Hon Vince Cable, also expresses concern over the recent election that was boycotted by the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS) and heavily criticised by other observers;

The EDM notes the continuing reports from Amnesty International and others of increasing human rights abuses in The Gambia; further notes that these abuses target perceived opponents of the government and that the right to a fair trial is routinely violated in Gambian courts.

The Motion also recognises the commitment of the British High Commission in The Gambia in supporting human rights and congratulates the Campaign for Human Rights in The Gambia(CHRG UK) for raising awareness of this issue.See the EDM below

http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2010-12/2727

The campaign to secure British parliamentary opposition to the human rights and political situation in The Gambia has been assisted by UK-based Campaign for Human Rights in The Gambia.

“"I am pleased that this motion is rapidly attracting signatures from MPs of all parties despite been a member of the Commonwealth Gambia government continue to abuse the rights of its citizens . It is very sad,” said Arthur West Chairman CHRG-UK.

" These actions are illegal and contrary to the Gambian

constitution which outlaws all forms of human rights abuses. It violates the equal treatment provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, which Gambia has signed and pledged to uphold".

This is an important issue and we must speak up and mobilise public opinion in UK against the Gambia government,”

The sponsor of the parliamentary motion, MP Joe Swinson (East Dumbartinshire) said recently that she was surprised to learn some of the detail and raised questions on the economics of The Gambia and its relationship to Europe, the UK, the USA and the Economic Community of West African States.

Recently Gambia was the subject of a round table discussion at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office . Instigated by Labour MP Anas Sarwar at the request of the Glasgow based Campaign for Human Rights in the Gambia, it saw journalists, campaigners, civil servants and politicians share knowledge of the current state of life in that sunny, West African country.

Among the concerns voiced were the lack of independence in the judiciary, the disappearance of working journalist Ebrima Manneh in 2006, the murder of newspaper publisher Deyda Hydara in 2004, the blocking of some websites critical to the present regime and the scewered dissemination of information.

See the video of the meeting

Further information:
Contact CHRG-UK
www.gambiacampaign.org
Email [email protected]
Twitter@gambiacampaign