URGENT ACTION

ACTIVISTS JAILED FOR DISTRIBUTING T-SHIRTS

Four activists have been convicted over the distribution of Coalition for Change – The Gambia (CCG) t-shirts calling for an ‘End to Dictatorship Now’ in The Gambia.

On 17 January, Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh, the country's former Minister for Information and Communication, was sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labour for treason at the Special Criminal Court in Banjul. Modou Keita, Ebrima Jallow and Michael C. Uche h Thomas were each sentenced to three years with hard labour for sedition.

Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh, who has American citizenship, was arrested in his Banjul office on 7 June 2011 for being in possession of CCG t-shirts, which call for an ‘End to Dictatorship Now’. Michael C. Ucheh Thomas, a Nigerian, and Modou Keita and Ebrima Jallow, both Gambians, were arrested on the same day, accused of printing the t-shirts.

Amnesty International considers Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh, Michael C. Ucheh Thomas, Modou Keita and Ebrima Jallow to be prisoners of conscience, and their imprisonment as violations of their freedom of expression, assembly and association. The organisation is calling for their immediate and unconditional release.

Many thanks to those who sent appeals. No further action is required from the UA network. Amnesty International will continue to work on the case through other channels.

Name: Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh, Modou Keita, Ebrima Jallow and Michael C. Ucheh Thomas

Gender m/f: All male

This is the first update of UA 190/11. Further information: http://amnesty.org/en/library/info/AFR27/002/2011/en

Further information on UA: 190/11 Index: AFR 27/002/2012 Issue Date: 24 January 2012