Hi Folks,

Now that we have a petition draft, those wishing to have their name
appended can do so by contacting Yankuba Njie. I have appended mine, as
well as kotos Abdoulaye and Buharry's.

Thanks Buharry for your efforts.

With best regards,

Madiba.
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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Dear Sir/Madam,

                        A very tragic chapter in the history of our =
beloved nation, The Gambia, occurred on the 10th. and 11th. April 2000 =
when security forces opened fire and killed 14 and injured at least 28 =
people including a Red Cross volunteer and journalist, Omar Barrow, =
during an unarmed demonstration organised by students. The students were =
protesting the torture and murder of a fellow student Ebrima Barry by =
Fire Service personnel, and the rape of a 13-year old school girl, Binta =
Manneh, by a police officer. Hundreds of students have since been =
arrested and distraught parents do not know whether their children are =
among the dead or imprisoned.

 We the undersigned, as concerned citizens, respectfully request you and =
your organization to keep pressure on the Government of The Gambia to =
immediately:

-         instruct the security forces to halt all excessive use of =
force against civilians;=20

-         release all the students currently under detention;

-         release the names of those killed and release their bodies to =
their relatives for proper burial;

-         launch an independent enquiry into the shootings and =
circumstances surrounding it;

-         ensure that all security personnel found to have used =
excessive force resulting in human rights abuses will be fully dealt =
with according to the provisions of the law;

-         instruct the security forces to exercise maximum restraint =
during demonstrations slated for next week;

-         ensure that those responsible for the murder of Ebrima Barry =
and the rape of Binta Manneh are prosecuted to the maximum extent of the =
law without undue delay;

-         ensure that all security personnel abide by the Constitution =
of The Republic of The Gambia and all international laws and treaties of =
which The Gambia is a signatory;

=20

While awaiting your kind co-operation in this most urgent of matter of =
matters, we take the opportunity to sincerely thank you and your =
organization for your concern.

                                                                         =
           Sincerely,

1. Momodou Buharry Gassama, Stockhohm, Sweden.
2. Dr. Abdoulaye Saine, Oxford, Ohio, USA.
3. Dr. Madiba Saidy, Vancouver, Canada.
4.
5.
6.
7.

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