Gambian victims under the 22-year rule of ex-President Yahya Jammeh have called on The Gambian government to ensure that the ex-president faces immediate arrest and prosecution whenever he steps foot in the country.
The Gambian Centre for Victims of Human Rights Violations on Saturday organised a march for justice in the country’s commercial city of Serrekunda, 15km outside Banjul, to petition the government demanding justice for human rights violations committed by former President Jammeh’s regime.
The group, in a petition signed by Sheriff M. Kijera, Chairman Board of Director at Gambia Centre for Victims of Human Rights Violations, urged The Gambian government to impose a ban or suspend the former President Yahya Jammeh’s Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction party until the country’s truth commission is concluded.
“The Gambian government should condemn any threats towards victims, and take appropriate legal measures for remedy. The Gambia government should continue to consult with the victims in decision making on issues that affect them and provide regular updates on all matters affecting them.
“The Gambian government should start immediate consultations with regional and international partners for support and assistance to bring Jammeh to justice,” said in a petition handed over to Ebrima Sankareh, The Gambia government spokesperson.
Before receiving the petition on behalf of President Adama Barrow, Sankareh told the victims he is also a victim of former president Jammeh’s rule, adding anytime he read or heard victim voice on radio he feel the emotion.
According to the victims, under the 22 years of Yahya Jammeh, there were reports of human rights violation and abuses were rife and characterized in the form of killing, enforced disappearance, sexual violence, arbitrary arrests and detention, indiscriminate illegal use of force, acts of torture, cruelty, inhumane or degrading treatment amongst others, meted out on Gambians and non-Gambians.
The group added that under Jammeh’s rule, the enjoyment and exercise of rights and freedom, including freedom of expression, association and assembly, were curtailed and crushed.
The group petition pointed out that a number of ordinary citizens, members of civil society including journalists as well as government officials, were abducted, arrested, illegally detained and imprisoned.
The petition also stated that intimidation was used to suppress dissent and preserve the ex-President Jammeh’s grip to power, adding that other human rights violations concerns, including corruption and embezzlement of public funds, land or property expropriation, forced labour and fake HIV and Aids treatment that resulted to some deaths and other complications among people living with HIV.
