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