PUBLICAI Index: AFR 27/006/2001

25 October 2001

Further information on 267/01 (AFR 27/003/2001, 22 October 2001) and follow-up (AFR 27/004/2001, 23 October 2001) - Fear of ill-treatment / Prisoner of conscience / Incommunicado detention

GAMBIAMohamed Lamine Sillah, Secretary General, Amnesty International Gambia

Dr Moudou Manneh, opposition politician

New names:Over 20 members of the opposition United Democratic Party

Dr Moudou Manneh was released without charge in the evening of 23 October. Mohamed Lamine Sillah is still held incommunicado at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). His lawyers have filed a habeas corpus application, which should ensure that he is brought before a court to challenge his detention.

Up to 13 supporters of the opposition United Democratic Party were arrested on or around 22 October. They are reportedly still in police custody in Brikama and Mansa Konko.

Ten other UDP supporters are reportedly in custody at the NIA, where they have been held since 15 October. They were arrested after a clash between UDP supporters and supporters of President Yahya Jammeh’s Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) party.

There are unconfirmed reports that some of the UDP members have been released and of further additional arrests of members of the opposition coalition of the United Democratic Party, the Progressive People’s Party and the Gambian People’s Party.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English or your own language:

- stating that Amnesty International believes that Mohamed Lamine Sillah is a prisoner of conscience, detained solely because of his human rights work, and calling for him to be released immediately and unconditionally;

- expressing concern that more than 20 United Democratic Party supporters are reportedly detained incommunicado either at the National Intelligence Agency, or in police custody in Brikama and Mansa Konko, and calling for them to be released if they are not to be promptly charged with a recognizably criminal offence;

- asking the authorities to guarantee that Mohamed Lamine Sillah and all the others who have been detained will be protected from ill-treatment in custody and allowed regular contact with their families and lawyers, and humanitarian and human rights organizations;

APPEALS TO:

President and Minister of Defence

Captain (retd.) Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh

Office of the President

State House, Banjul

Gambia

Telegrams:President Jammeh, Banjul, Gambia

Faxes:+ 220 227034

Salutation:Dear President

Head of the National Intelligence Agency

Mr Kebba Ceesay

NIA Headquarters

Banjul, Gambia

Fax: + 220 22 55 62

Salutation: Dear Mr Ceesay

Minister of Interior

Honourable Ousman Badjie

Ministry of Interior

71 Dobson Street, Banjul

Gambia

Telegrams:Interior Minister, Banjul, Gambia

Faxes:+ 220 201320

Salutation:Dear Minister

Minister of Justice and Attorney-General

Honourable Joseph Joof

Ministry of Justice

Marina Parade, Banjul

Gambia

Telegrams:Justice Minister, Banjul, Gambia

Faxes:+ 220 225352

Salutation:Dear Minister

COPIES TO:

Minister of External Affairs

Honourable Babucar Blaise Jagne

Ministry of External Affairs

4 Marina Parade, Banjul

Gambia

Fax: + 220 228 060

and to diplomatic representatives of Gambia accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 6 December 2001.