PUBLIC AI Index: AFR 27/003/2006

10 April 2006

Further Information on UA 69/06 (AFR 27/001/2006, 28 March 2006) and follow-up (AFR 27/002/2006, 6 April 2006) Incommunicado detention/fear of torture or ill-treatment

GAMBIA Major Sang Pierre Mendy (m)

Captain Muhammed Jah (m)

Captain Bunja Darboe (m)

Lt Wassa Camara (m)

Alpha Bah (m), sergeant-major

Mamadou Cadi Cham (m), former minister

Ramzia Diab (f), former MP of the ruling APRC party

Musa Saydikhan (m), Chief Editor of The Independent (spelling corrected)

Madi Ceesay (m), Independent administrator (spelling corrected)

Raif Diab (m), businessperson, aged around 70

Mariam Denton (f), lawyer

New names: Sheriff Mustapha Dibba (m), Speaker of the House

Abdoulaye Kanaji Jawla (m), MP for the ruling APRC party

Ngorr Secka (m), acting Deputy Director General of the NIA

Pa Njie Guirigara (m), businessman

Abdoulie Kujabi (m), former National Intelligence Agency Director

At least 10 others

Abdoulie Kujabi, former National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director, who has been held incommunicado since 27 March 2006, was reportedly brought to hospital in Banjul, the capital, on 6 April and is said to be in a “critical physical condition”. Amnesty International is concerned that he may have been tortured in detention.

Furthermore, arrests have continued over the last few days in connection with an attempted coup that allegedly took place on 21 March. According to reports, Hon Sheriff Mustapha Dibba, Speaker of the House, Abdoulaye Kanaji Jawla, Member of Parliament for the APRC ruling party, Ngorr Secka, acting Deputy Director General of the NIA and businessman Pa Njie Guirigara were arrested on 6 April in Banjul. They are detained incommunicado and without charge, and are at risk of torture or ill-treatment.

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

- expressing concern at reports that Abdoulie Kujabi was brought to hospital and seeking information about his condition;

- expressing concern that at least 25 people are still detained incommunicado for their supposed involvement in an attempted coup;

- seeking assurances that they are not being tortured or ill-treated, and urging the authorities to give them regular access to their families, lawyers and any medical attention they may require;

- urging the authorities to release them immediately, unless they are to be charged with a recognizably criminal offence;

- if they are to be charged, asking for details of the charges against them and when they are to be put on trial.

APPEALS TO:

President and Minister of Defence

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

Office of the President

State House, Banjul

Republic of the Gambia

Fax: + 220 4227 034

Salutation: Your Excellency

Minister of Interior
M. Baboucarr Jatta

Ministry of Interior

71 Dobson Street, Banjul

Gambia

Fax: +220 420 1320
Salutation: Dear Minister

Attorney General and Secretary of State for Justice

M. Sheikh Tijan Hydara

Department of State for Justice and Attorney General's Chambers

Marina Parade

Banjul

Republic of the Gambia

Faxes: + 220 4225 352

Salutation: Dear Secretary of State

COPIES 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 22 May 2006.