New information:
The Observatory has been informed by the Gambia Press Union (GPU) about the release of
the six trade union leaders and journalists convicted on August 6, 2009, namely Mr. Emil
Touray, Ms. Sarata Jabbi Dibba, Mr. Pa Modou Faal, respectively GPU Secretary General,
Vice-President and Treasurer, Messrs. Pap Saine and Ebrima Sawaneh, Publisher and
Editor of The Point newspaper respectively, as well as Mr. Sam Sarr, Editor of the Foroyaa
opposition newspaper. Messrs. Ebrima Sawaneh and Pap Saine are also GPU members.
According to the information received, on September 3, 2009, at 9 pm, following presidential
pardon, the six journalists were released from the Mile Two State Central Prison, where they
had been detained since August 6, 2009 following their conviction for charges of "sedition"
and "defamation".
The Observatory thanks all the persons, organisations, and institutions that intervened in
favour of the six journalists.
Background informations:
On June 15, 2009, Ms. Sarata Jabbi-Dibba, Mr. Emil Touray and Mr. Pa Modou Faal were
summonsed by the Gambian National Intelligence Agency (NIA) in Banjul for questioning in
relation to the statement published by the GPU in The Point and Foroyaa on June 12. They
were subsequently arrested.
The GPU statement that prompted their arrest criticised Gambian President Yahya Jammeh
in relation to comments he had made on June 8 on Government television GRTS, denying
any State implication in the murder of prominent Gambian journalist Deyda Hydara, which
remains unpunished as of today. The GPU statement also denounced numerous instances
of harassment and intimidation of journalists by the Gambian authorities, and deplored the
state of media freedom in the country.
Furthermore, four other journalists were also arrested by NIA officers in plain clothes on June
15, 2009, namely Mr. Sam Sarr, Mr. Abubakar Saidykhan, Foroyaa reporter, Mr. Ebrima
Sawaneh and Mr. Pap Saine.
On June 18, 2009, the seven journalists appeared at Kanifing police court and were
subsequently charged with "seditious publication". Messrs. Emil Touray, Pa Modou Fall, Pap
Saine and Ebrima Sawaneh, Sam Sarr and Abubakar Saidykhan were then imprisoned in
Banjul’s Mile Two jail. Only Ms. Sarata Jabbi-Dibba, mother of a young child, was released
on a bail of 200,000 Dalasis (approximately 5,300 Euros).
On June 22, 2009, Messrs. Emil Touray, Pa Modou Fall, Pap Saine, Ebrima Sawaneh, Sam
Sarr and Abubakar Saidykhan were brought to Kanifing police court in the Banjul suburbs
and all were bailed in the sum of 200,000 Dalasis.
On July 3, 2009, the seven journalists were summoned to appear before Banjul High Court,
charged with the initial charges of sedition and three other counts of defamation. The Court
then revoked their initial bail conditions, and sent them back to Mile Two State Central
Prison. Hours later, Ms. Sarata Jabbi-Dibba was released with a bail of 400,000 Dalasis
(about 10,600 Euros).
On July 6, 2009, Messrs. Emil Touray, Pa Modou Fall, Pap Saine Ebrima Sawaneh, Sam
Sarr and Abubakar Saidykhan were released on bail of 400,000 Dalasis.
On July 28, 2009 Mr. Abubakar Saidykhan was acquitted and discharged over "wrong"
charges by the High Court. He was initially arrested for taking photos of his editor being
arrested but charged with same counts of sedition and defamation.
On August 6, 2009, Messrs. Emil Touray, Pa MoAddresses:dou Faal, Pap Saine, Ebrima Sawaneh and
Sam Sarr as well as Ms. Sarata Jabbi Dibba, were convicted and sentenced by Banjul High
Court to two years’ imprisonment and to a 250,000 Dalasis (about 6,625 Euros) fine each
upon charges of "sedition" and "defamation". All were transferred to serve their sentence in
Mile Two State Central Prison.
Actions requested:
The Observatory urges the authorities of The Gambia to:
i. Guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Ms. Sarata
Jabbi-Dibba, Mr. Emil Touray, Mr. Pa Modou Faal, Mr. Sam Sarr, Mr. Abubacarr
Saidykhan, Mr. Ebrima Sawaneh and Mr. Pap Saine, as well as all human rights
defenders in The Gambia;
ii. Put an end to any kind of harassment, including at the judicial level, against Ms. Sarata
Jabbi-Dibba and Messrs. Emil Touray, Pa Modou Faal, Sam Sarr, Abubacarr Saidykhan,
Ebrima Sawaneh and Pap Saine, as well as against all journalists and human rights
defenders in the Gambia, and ensure in all circumstances that they be able to carry out
their work without hindrances;
iii. Comply with all the provisions of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights
Defenders, in particular with Article 1, which provides that "everyone has the right,
individually and in association with others, to promote and to strive for the protection and
realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international
levels", as well as with Article 12.2 ("the State shall take all necessary measures to
ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in
association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure
adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or
her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration");
iv. More generally, ensure in all circumstances the respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms in accordance with in accordance with the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights and with international and regional human rights instruments ratified by
the Gambia.
Addresses:
•Captain (retd.) Alhaji Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh , President and Minister of Defence, Office of
the President, State House, Banjul, Republic of The Gambia. Fax: +220 4227 034. mail:
info@statehouse.gm.
•Mrs. Marie Saine Firdaus, Attorney General and Secretary of State for Justice, Department
of State for Justice, Marina Parade, Banjul, Republic of The Gambia. Fax: +220 4225 352
•Mr. Ousman Sonko, Secretary of State for the Interior, Office of the President, State House,
Banjul, Republic of The Gambia. Fax: +220 4223 718
•Ambassador Mr. Moses Benjamin Jallow, Permanent Mission of The Gambia to the United
Nations in Geneva, c/o Embassy of the Republic of the Gambia, 117, rue Saint Lazare,
75008 Paris, France. Fax: +33 1 53 04 05 99. Email: ambgambia_france117@hotmail.com
Please also write to the diplomatic mission or embassy of The Gambia in your respective
country.