Annika,

Thanks for the timely clarification.
For the benefit of those who may not be aware, I would just like to add that the
petition was covered by The Point newspaper; the coverage can be accessed at
qanet.gm. Unfortunately, the petition was linked to the "Balangbaa group". Since most
people who were involved in the petition action, myself included, are not members of
this group, it was felt that a letter of correction should be sent to The Point and
other newspapers which gave coverage to the petition, to indicate that the petition
is entirely a product of Gambia-L efforts.

Regards

Alpha Robinson


Bokaloho wrote:

> Friends,
> The blame for the "Balangbaa" error should be entirely on me and I apologise
> sincerely for any inconvenience. When the petition was distributed here
> there was a need to update it especially since the time of detention
> mentioned in the petition was far exceeded. Therefore I took the liberty of
> adding a covering letter:
> Annika Renberg
> c/o Boka Loho Organisation
> P.O. Box 4153; Bakau; The Gambia
> Tel: (220) 371630
> e-mail: [log in to unmask]
> To
> …………………………………………….
> …………………………………………….
> 12 August, 2000
> Re: Petition on unconstitutional arrests and detention.
> Dear Sir/Madam,
> On behalf of the organisers, the ”Balangbaa Group”, I hereby wish to forward
> an international petition regarding the arrest and detention of
> Mr Modou Sarho and others. Today it is seven weeks, while Mr Sarho and the
> others have been held ’incommunicado’ with not even lawyers allowed to see
> them or even know where they are kept.
> I now appeal to you/your organisation to take note of this petition and help
> to convince the government to follow the constitution and laws of The Gambia
> by charging Mr Sarho & co or releasing them if they cannot be found guilty
> of any criminal offence. While held in custody, they should also be granted
> their right to legal counselling and visits.
> Looking forward to your kind understanding and intervention in this regard.
> Sincerely,
>
> (Annika Renberg)
> Co-founder and volunteer of Boka Loho; wife of Mr Sarho
>
> I am awfully sorry, my own understanding was that the petition was initiated
> by members of the 'chat-group' of Balangbaa and that others supported the
> idea by contributing to the writing and - of course - the signing. Not to
> forget the good work done in the distributing of the petition.
>
> For your information: Today I received a letter from 'The Ombudsman'
> explaining that since the case has reached the courts they are unable to
> intervene or even investigate.
>
> Once again, Sorry for the misunderstanding. Today copies of the petition
> will be given to the political parties here - without my covering letter.
> Annika
>
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