G-L,

How about a strategic alliance with the group !

Beran


Human rights NGO coalition formed in The Gambia
The Independent <http://www.qanet.gm/Independent/independent.html>  (Banjul)
June 26, 2000
By Alhagie Mbye
Banjul - A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) coalition of human rights
concerns was recently formed in The Gambia to enhance democracy, the rule of law
and respect for the constitution.
Mohammed Sillah secretary general of Amnesty International-The Gambia who also
fronts as the co-ordinator for the initiative told The Independent that the
coalition was formed on June 3rd comprising human rights NGOs within the
country. He noted that the coalition has agreed to create 'a hotline for free
flow of information for the coalition and the general public and to organise
educational fora on human rights issues.' He said they would also engage in
campaigns, which would seek to notify the government when people's human rights
are violated or abused.
Mr. Sillah also noted that they would also agree to raise the 'profile of human
rights defenders who are at risk or always in danger.'
Mr. Sillah said that the organisation is young but it is already in the process
of sensitising members of their roles and responsibilities as human right
defenders. In that vein he said the coalition is organising a one-day workshop.
Mr. Sillah stressed that 'we are bound to live in a society where the rule of
law is to prevail', and that human rights bodies will not keep silent in the
midst of human rights violations. 'National boundaries cannot be taken as a
shield behind which to hide' he averred.
Elaborating on the 10 and 11 April student demonstrations, during which human
rights violations were allegedly committed by the security forces, Mr. Sillah
noted that he wouldn't wish to pre-empt what the coalition will be embarking on
regarding it. He added that an inquest has been set up with a commission of
inquiry and that they have to wait for their outcome. 'The coalition will come
up with a common strategy to address the issue.'
Concerning the clashes between UDP and APRC party supporters, Mr. Sillah
stressed that the incident was very unfortunate and that the coalition is
presently collecting information about the episode before issuing any statement
on the situation.
He warned that 'any person or institution who commits crime against humanity
should know that he or she will have to face justice no matter how long it
takes.'
'There is no safe haven for human rights violators- they can be prosecuted
wherever they go.'
The human rights activist also cited Chile and Chad as examples where dictators
like General Augusto Pinochet and Hussein Habre are currently facing charges of
human rights violations committed decades ago.
He vowed that this new Gambian coalition of human rights concerns would expose
human rights atrocities irrespective of who commits them.

Human rights NGO coalition formed in The Gambia
The Independent <http://www.qanet.gm/Independent/independent.html>  (Banjul)
June 26, 2000
By Alhagie Mbye
Banjul - A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) coalition of human rights
concerns was recently formed in The Gambia to enhance democracy, the rule of law
and respect for the constitution.
Mohammed Sillah secretary general of Amnesty International-The Gambia who also
fronts as the co-ordinator for the initiative told The Independent that the
coalition was formed on June 3rd comprising human rights NGOs within the
country. He noted that the coalition has agreed to create 'a hotline for free
flow of information for the coalition and the general public and to organise
educational fora on human rights issues.' He said they would also engage in
campaigns, which would seek to notify the government when people's human rights
are violated or abused.
Mr. Sillah also noted that they would also agree to raise the 'profile of human
rights defenders who are at risk or always in danger.'
Mr. Sillah said that the organisation is young but it is already in the process
of sensitising members of their roles and responsibilities as human right
defenders. In that vein he said the coalition is organising a one-day workshop.
Mr. Sillah stressed that 'we are bound to live in a society where the rule of
law is to prevail', and that human rights bodies will not keep silent in the
midst of human rights violations. 'National boundaries cannot be taken as a
shield behind which to hide' he averred.
Elaborating on the 10 and 11 April student demonstrations, during which human
rights violations were allegedly committed by the security forces, Mr. Sillah
noted that he wouldn't wish to pre-empt what the coalition will be embarking on
regarding it. He added that an inquest has been set up with a commission of
inquiry and that they have to wait for their outcome. 'The coalition will come
up with a common strategy to address the issue.'
Concerning the clashes between UDP and APRC party supporters, Mr. Sillah
stressed that the incident was very unfortunate and that the coalition is
presently collecting information about the episode before issuing any statement
on the situation.
He warned that 'any person or institution who commits crime against humanity
should know that he or she will have to face justice no matter how long it
takes.'
'There is no safe haven for human rights violators- they can be prosecuted
wherever they go.'
The human rights activist also cited Chile and Chad as examples where dictators
like General Augusto Pinochet and Hussein Habre are currently facing charges of
human rights violations committed decades ago.
He vowed that this new Gambian coalition of human rights concerns would expose
human rights atrocities irrespective of who commits them.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L
Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html

----------------------------------------------------------------------------