Jamba

Thanks for bringing our attention to the Oputa
Commission. I have been following the proceedings of
the Human Right Commission and I must say a lot has
been revealed about Abacha's reign of terror to that
the Nigerian Civil War of 1967.

You are right to suggest that we keep a close eye on
this commission. My only disappointment with this
commission is that it is toothless, it is not a court
and so far the likes of  General Ibrahima Badamasi
Babangida have refused to appear and explain his
alleged role in the assasination of Dele Giwa.

If we anticipate having a Truth and Restitution
Commission as seen in the case of Nigeria, then human
rights advocates should start following the
proceedings on the Oputa Commission, we need to learn
about this commission before advocating for a similar
one to be instituted in the Gambia.

Have a wonderful day

Sanusi



--- jamba jobe <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >
Nothing was more exciting today than to have heard
> about the Justice
> commission that was set up in Nigeria to review all
> human rights abuses
> committed since 1966. This confirms that justice may
> tarry but shall never
> go astray, the mere fact that past presidents  and
> military rulers are being
> subjected to judicial questioning before a legally
> composed comission to
> answer to allegations brought by the people is clear
> testimony that the
> African people are beggining to put Human Rights at
> the top of their
> political concerns. This therefore is a warning to
> all those in power, using
> brute force to subjugate the people that a day of
> reckoning is always there.
>   I hope a commission of this type would be
> replicated all over Africa, so
> that any  one in position of trust would ensure fair
> play and the rule of
> law instead as is normally the case the rule of
> might.  The Gambia would
> surely have to compose such a commission in future
> to review all the
> violations of Human Rights since 1981 to date. I
> know a lot of people would
> not want to revisit the Jawara era as one of the
> most henious period coupled
> with that of the Jammeh era , many live in a state
> of denial but Human
> Rights violations under Jawara ought to be analysed
> in as much as that of
> Jammeh, they may not belong in the same league but
> they are equally as bad.
> I can recall when Jawara imposed a state of
> emmergency for almost four
> years, may of the draconian laws we see jammeh
> practice now were then
> promulgated, laws such as the notorious indemnity
> clause. Not only that but
> the humilliations that people were subjected daily
> and the tortures that
> went inside the Bakau Barracks all these cannot be
> just forgotten especially
> those who wnt through the ordeal, I can remember
> elderly statesmen such the
> late Alhaji Sulayman Sarr the humilliation and
> suffering they went through.
> All these merit a through review of that dark moment
> of our history.  As for
> Jammeh he would be a fool not to learn, he may
> control state power now but
> the way power eludes is amazing one moment you feel
> like God the next minute
> you become an absolute nonentity, so all the
> arrogance and the use of
> threats is real folly after power belongs to none
> but the people. If any day
> the Gambian peoplke wake up to such a reality it
> does not matter how many
> tanks or missiles you have you would have to go.
>
> I hope you are aware of the reality of such a
> commission and remember that
> all that is beneath the carpet shall one day come
> out in the open.
>
> As regards the decree you abolished it is a step in
> the right
> direction,eventhough the ramifications are still not
> very clear, none the
> less we are a lot better of without.  Having said
> that I hope you will
> remember that peoplle like DUMO SAHO are still
> languishing in jail, despite
> not being charged against. I would urge you to
> realease  the brother
> unconditionally.  The only crime Dumo has committed
> was a crime of principle
> whiles some of his friends such as Sarjo, Salieu,and
> many others are
> collaborating with you and enjoying the fruits of
> privilege he refused to
> join you thuggery.  I remeber Dumo he is an honest
> law abiding person with
> lots of dignity.  To remove decree whatever and
> assume us to forget the
> crimes of incacerating political prisoners in the
> name of security is not
> only barbaric but cowardly. I would call on all the
> sisters and brothers to
> raise Dumos issue as a matter of priority, we should
> make a concerted
> campaign to ensure that he is release4d
> uncoditionally.  There cannot be
> justice in the country untill such gross violations
> of rights are stopped,
> so the struggle should not only focus on the decrees
> but H uman rights.
>
>
_________________________________________________________________
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> http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
>
>
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