By: Momodou Justice Darboe
Amnesty International (AI) said it’s concerned that the charges against Madi Jobarteh are politically-motivated.
“In May 2022, the Gambian President accused human rights defender, Madi Jobarteh of being a “troublemaker” who wants to bring violence into the country. Since then, he has been receiving online threats, harassment, and intimidation from the Gambian authorities (including unlawful surveillance) and was arbitrarily arrested and detained. On 9 November 2023, he was charged with seditious intention, incitement to violence, false broadcasting and information. Amnesty International is concerned that the charges against Madi Jobarteh are politically motivated as they are based on his activities as a human rights defender, in violation of his rights to freedom of expression and association,” AI said on Wednesday.
The AI’s Acting Regional Director for West Africa, Marta Colomer, addressed a letter to President Adama Barrow to express her concern over what, she called, the intimidation, harassment, threats and attacks against MadiJobarteh.
“On 2 May 2022, Your Excellency accused Madi Jobarteh of being “a troublemaker” who wants to bring violence and burn down the country, putting his safety and security at risk. MadiJobarteh has since faced online intimidation, harassment, threats and attacks,” wrote Ms. Colomer.
“On 6 October 2023, four officers from the State Intelligence Unit and the Criminal Intelligence Unit raided Madi Jobarteh’s house and questioned him about his Facebook posts. They advised he reports to the nearest police station when they left, which MadiJobarteh refused. Subsequently, police vehicles were seen loitering around his neighbourhood. He posted about the incident on Facebook on 8 October 2023. The next day, on 9 October 2023, Madi Jobarteh was arrested and placed in judicial custody. The police also seized his phone and that of his daughter. While in custody, he was denied access to his lawyer. On 15 October 2023, he was released on a bail bond of 100,000 Dalasis (approximately 1,500 USD) and was required to report to the police. On 9 November 2023, he was charged with seditious intention, incitement to violence, false publication, and broadcasting. If convicted of these charges, Madi Jobarteh could face up to six years in prison. On 23 November 2023, his case was sent to the Attorney General’s office for advice,” read Ms. Colomer’s letter to the President.
She stated that Amnesty International “is concerned that the charges against Madi Jobarteh are in connection with his human rights work”.
“The authorities are using criminal charges to prevent him from freely exercising his rights to freedom of expression and association and carrying out his human rights activities. In so doing, the Gambian authorities violate their international human rights obligations under both the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that guarantee the rights to freedom of opinion and expression and association,” added the letter.
“In light of the above, I urge you to ensure that the baselesscharges against Madi Jobarteh are immediately dropped and that he is allowed to freely exercise his human rights. I also urge you to ensure all allegations of intimidation, harassment, threats and attacks against Madi Jobarteh and his family are promptly, thoroughly, independently, impartially, transparently, and effectively investigated and suspected perpetrators are brought to justice in fair trials. Finally, I urge you to ensure that MadiJobarteh can freely carry out his human rights work without any reprisals, and ensure that his right to privacy is respected including by returning his phone and that of his daughter,” concluded the letter.