The following is culled from Burning Issues (FOROYAA Publication) Wednesday, 7 March 2001 ********************************* Movement For The Restoration Of Democracy UK A meeting under the auspices of the Movement for the Restoration of democracy was convened by Mr. John Maccdonald Labour member of parliament for the constituency of Hayes and Harlington, held in committee room 10 in the House of Commons. Present at the meeting were notable Gambian figures in the defunct PPP regime. Ousted president Sir Dawda Jawara, former vice president Bakary B. Darboe, Foday jarjusy, Omar O.J. Jallow, Mr. Bob or president Jawara's protocol officer, ex-army officers, Colonel Ndow Njie, Deputy IG Chongan and ADC Gassama. Also present was UDP member Femi Peters and NRP's Hamat Bah. Ms. Diane Abbot Labour MP, Jeremy Corban MP and representatives of International Human Rights and Non- Governmental Organisations were also in attendance. Mr. James Bahoum chairman of the Movement for the Restoration (M.R.D) represented the movement. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Maccdonald. In his opening remarks, Mr. Maccdonald intimated that he became interested in the Gambia as a result of a large settlement of Gambian asylum seekers in his constituency Hayes and Harlington. He asserted that his objective is to create a parliamentary link with M. R. D. and raise issues affecting Gambia, so that democracy can be restored. Mr. James Bahoum gave brief remarks thanking Mr. Maccdonald for his assistance in enabling the movement to create partnership that would highlight human rights affairs in parliament. He lamented the British governments restoration of technical assistance to the Gambia especially in the area of military affairs. He remarked that this was a retrogressive step, which he hoped would be revised and reversed. He further said that to achieve the goals of the movement requires collective and concerted effort among all interested parties. He concluded by in fering that this is the first of a series of sessions to follow. Ms. Dian Abbot Labour MP for Hackney expressed personal support to the movement. She said that the issue of human rights has become fashionable and the Labour government is very selective on its human rights policy. She said there are discrepancies in the way the British government is promoting and defending human rights. She cited the Bombing of Iraq, Bosnia etc. while gradually lessening its responsibilities in Africa. She argued that Britain retains moral responsibilities as well as leadership role to play by using its potential to counter travesty and violation of human rights. Mr. Femi Peters was introduced as the person deputising for Mr. Ousaniou Darboe leader of the UDP. He started by saying that since July 1994 there is nothing but chaos and a catalogue of human rights violation in the Gambia; that Democracy has been abrogated and the military junta is engaged in all forms of human right violations, such as torture, detention without trial, dismissal of civil servants sympathising with opposition parties. Interference in the judicial system ''firing'' judges at will and even extra judicial killings. He further lamented the consequences of the regime' s rule of terror such as the brain drain in the country. Lack of regard and respect for the constitution as well as institutions such as the IEC. The use of intimidation and terror tactics using the President's Youth Action Group as well as the July 22nd Movement. Principal agent was identified as Mr. Baba Jobe who was described as Libyan Trained terrorist. He mentioned the NIA as an agent of terror which goes about arresting their leaders, detain and torture them. Tata Camara and one deceased member were mentioned as victims. He continued to highlight the gross violation of human rights. He asserted that coups are regularly fabricated and people unjustifiably accused. People are arrested without any warrants. He concluded by saying that the coroners inquest on the murder of the school children was rejected. Mr. Hamat Bah leader of NRP started by thanking the deposed Gambian president Sir Dawda Jawara for helping the Gambian Nation. He described Sir Dawda as a great man - a man of distinct qualities with humilities. He referred to as lies that the former president was corrupt. He said even a poor person like him is better of than Jawara. He said he went to the ex-president's dwelling and it is modest and humble he said there is no way that jawara could have been corrupt as is generally alleged. Then he dwelt on the history of the Gambia's political independence, saying that many including the UK doubted the Gambia's ability to have independence but through Jawara's perseverance, independence was granted. He cited that Jawara was offered 35, 000 Pounds to integrate Gambia with Senegal. He said he first accepted it but later refused and opted for an Independent Gambia. He referred to Jawara as the father of the Nation, a man of vision who was very good, but surrounded by bad people. Despite this he expressed reservation saying jawara had some mistakes to which he Jawara would accede to. He called upon Gambians to return to the Gambia and use their wealth of experience and knowledge to contribute towards national development. He cited human rights as a fundamental issue of concern - especially the April 10th and 11th incident which resulted in school children being killed. Children who were within their democratic rights to demonstrate. He emphasised that this was an event that cannot be forgotten and the perpetrators of such injustice should be prosecuted. He further argued that decree 89 should be repealed to allow all those banned to participate in the political process. He urged those banned to take the initiative and unban themselves instead of waiting for things to be handed on a silver plate. He further argued on this point saying that some banned politicians are already active by joining the APRC. He went on to argue that it was gross injustice for the commissions to seize peoples properties. He indicated that these people worked hard to acquire their properties. He urged that all the properties seized should be returned to their owners. He described the commission as ''kangaroo courts'' inferring it a quote from the ''great man' ' Jawara. He strongly argued that corruption is more rife now than ever before. He further argued that hospitals are starved of facilities and medicaments, inspite of new infrastructures being built. He said that Jawara inherited backward country that he developed; that there were only 41 primary schools and two referral hospitals. He intimated that Jawara has done a lot and he could testify to that. He said just before the coup there were plans to provide electricity for the entire nation, but the coup aborted those programmes. He mentioned the ''Gate Way Project'' which he said was a development programme initiated by Jawara the great man. He said Gambia was referred to as the shopping basket of West Africa. He talked about the need to forge a relationship with the west to enhance democracy in the Gambia. He referred to a term ''comparative democracy''. He indicated that comparative democracy is what is needed; that the fundamental would be the different circumstances in different countries. In conclusion, he thanked the ''father of the nation'' jawara for his vision and humility. Omar Jallow (O.J) Stared by insisting that the MRD is an organisation free from partisanship. He said the organisation belongs to no political party and is opened to all Gambians. He said Africans must not run away from the continent, that the African continent has the potential and capacity to fulfil its needs. He said what is happening today in Africa is worse than slavery days, that Africans are now oppressing their fellow Africans, he said we should stand up against oppression and die for liberty for the sake of the future generations. He urged the Gambian people to put pressure on the opposition parties to join hands. He said that the Gambia is bigger than any one. Jawara, Ousainou Darboe, Assan Musa Camara and Sheriff Mustapha Dibba. He said to create a genuine sustainable democracy people must forge alliances. He narrated the long standing relationship between the Gambia and the UK dating as far back as 400 years. He said the UK government has the duty to intervene to ensure democratic rule - before it's too late like Sierra Leone. He said that the potential exists and the writing is on the wall for every one to see. He said if they do not do so now they will send their children tomorrow. On Jawara, he said he is a great man of democratic credentials. He said at independence, Jawara was the only statesman to have refused one party rule unlike many of his contemporaries. Jawara he said implemented the rule of law, human rights and regular elections. Testimony to Jawara's commitments to human rights was the resolution to sponsor for example Steve Biko Day, Commonwealth, Human Rights Commission and the African centre for Human Rights which is located in The Gambia. He asserted that these are clear testimonies to Jawara's commitment to the rule of law and human rights. He went on to narrate his experience of human rights violation under the AFPRC. He said he was arrested eleven times and that he was incarcerated for 14 months at one time. During this time, he said he was denied toothbrush, bathing and changing of clothes. He said there was no privacy at all and no visits from his family. He said he used to sleep on a concrete floor, isolated in a cell with no doors and windows and he was under constant guard. He appealed to Mr. Maccdonald to urge Tony Blair and Robin Cook, whom he referred to as traditional allies, to take Gambia's case with the security council. He said Jammeh like all other dictators will run away like Idi Amin, Mobuto etc. He said he O.J will not leave the Gambia because he owes it to the voters and the ''Pa'', the old man. He said upon arrival at the airport, he will face journalists and repeat all his assertions. He said elections cannot be free and fair under the present set up. He said the transition from military to civil rule is still incomplete since all local government positions are still manned by APRC members not mandated by the electorate. Jeremy Cobin Labour MP introduced himself as the vice chairman of the parliamentary human rights group and said that he came to learn rather than lecture. He said any democracy must have the presence of an independent parliament free, fair and open; it must also have an uncontrolled judiciary and an accountable police force and more crucially access to the media. He mentioned the recent commemoration of the holocaust and the need to do the same for slavery which was equally heinous. He reflected on the past when African nations were vying for independence. He referred to the perseverance and bravery of those who demanded it. He said there was political independence and not economic independence. He assured his determination to put pressure and raise questions for greater openness. Ex-president Jawara was introduced by the chairman as a respectable man in the UK. He started by saying that having seen the passion and commitment, he did not have much to say but that he was impressed. He expressed concern for the abuse of human rights and bad governance in the Gambia. He said removing Jammeh requires drastic actions from Gambians. He thanked John Maccdonald for the interest and commitment shown to refugees to regain freedom and rights as citizens and to help maintain democracy based on the traditions of the UK. He said as a student he learned to respect human rights, as he was a member of the Forward Group at Glasgow University, a group that believed in the Universal application of human rights. He said he brought the African Commission of human rights to the Gambia and now it is ironic that Gambia is the worst abuser on the continent. He said the dictator is designing the whole political process for indefinite perpetuation. He said that 2001 is crucial for the election and that is if elections are held he cannot envisage a free and fair elections and there are many ifs he said. He urged the APRC to annul decrees 89, 70 and 71. He also called upon the international community to monitor the elections if election s are held. Report By Malick Kah ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------