Lawyers Protest Borry, Combeh-Njie's Dismissals
The Daily Observer
July 14, 2000
Banjul - The coalition of lawyers in the country have issued a statement
condemning the dismissals of Magistrate Borry Touray, and judicial secretary,
Isatou-Combeh Njie.
A press release signed by Lawyer AM Tambedou, on behalf of the coalition, read,
"The coalition unequivocally condemns the dismissal of Magistrate Borry Touray
following his ruling in the murder involving the UDP entourage on provincial
tour and the judicial secretary, Isatou-Combeh Njie, from their posts."
The coalition said these acts are in contravention of the 1997 Constitution and
"an affront to the independence of the judiciary."
The lawyers called for the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of Borry
Touray and Isatou-Combeh Njie to restore confidence in the Gambian judiciary.
The coalition also expressed concern over "recent abductions, disappearances and
unlawful detention. We totally condemn these acts as clear violations of
fundamental human rights and freedom of the persons concerned as enshrined in
the constitution of this country and also in the African Charter on Human and
People's Rights to which The Gambia is a signatory and has also ratified."
The coalition further called for the detained persons to be immediately taken
before the courts or be released forthwith and unconditionally.
The coalition finally "called on all stakeholders concerned with these events to
let sanity and common sense prevail in the interest of peace, stability and
justice in our beloved country."
Magistrates
In a separate development, a group of magistrates yesterday called on the chief
justice, Felix Lartey, to register their disappointment and disapproval about
the sacking of Magistrate Borry Touray and Isatou-Combeh Njie, judicial
secretary.
Among the magistrates who had audience with the chief justice were Babou Jobe,
EA Ota, Nguie Mboob-Janneh and BY Camara.
The meeting was held behind closed doors.
One magistrate Wednesday told our reporter that "magistrates have always
suffered this kind of action and we feel that it is time to make a strong
protest against these actions."

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