I cannot help but notice the nearly total silence amonsgt us - devout
and dedicated defenders of Human Rights in Gambia - regarding the case
of Edwin Nwakaeme. It is reported herein that he is sentenced to a
mandatory SIX months and a fine of $400.
I may have missed somehing, but Nwakaeme's case did not stir half as
much a rouse as comparable cases involving other known quantities in
the past. Why? I'm inclined to ask. Is it because his name does not
sound Gambian? Is it because he is not "known" to many of us? Or is it
because we just don't care who he is?

Here's an opportunity for us all to reflect.

Please pardon my rant if I have missed any effort made in support of
Edwin by any individual or group at any time. I am willing to join
hands to do the little I can to show solidarity against tyranny and
abuse for brother Edwin.


-Laye


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http://www.apanews.net/apa.php?page=show_article_eng&id_article=131376

The Gambia-Conviction

Gambian magistrate’s court convicts human rights activist for false
information

APA Banjul-(The Gambia) A magistrate’s court in Banjul on Monday
convicted and sentenced a local human rights activist, Edwin Nebolisa
Nwakaeme, to a mandatory six month imprisonment and a fine of 10, 000
dalasis (US$400), in default to serve three years imprisonment for
giving false information to the office of the president.

Nwakaeme was arrested in February 2010 and he appeared in court in
March charged with giving false information to the office of the
president.

The particulars of offence indicate that Nwakaeme sometime in March
2010 in Banjul gave false information to the office of the president
that ‘Africa in Good Governance and Democracy’ (ADG), a
non-governmental organization was seeking nomination of Ms Mariam
Jammeh, daughter of President Yahya Jammeh as ADGs General Ambassador
for World Children Day celebration in 2009 of which he knew to be
untrue.

Nwakaeme, in an interview with the BBC in 2009 after the arrest and
subsequent conviction and imprisonment to two years on charges of
sedition and defamation of six Gambian journalists by the High Court
in Banjul, criticized the Jammeh administration.

His arrest and conviction is seen by many rights groups as a
punishment for his criticism of the regime.


ET/daj/APA
2010-09-07

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