PUBLICAI Index: AFR 27/004/2001

23 October 2001

Further information on UA 267/01 (AFR 27/003/2001, 22 October 2001) - Fear of ill-treatment / Prisoner of Conscience / Incommunicado detention

GAMBIALamine Sillah (m), Secretary General, Amnesty International Gambia

New names: Dr Moudou Manneh (m), opposition politician

At least 10 others

At least 14 people are reported to have been arrested in Gambia since President Yayha Jammeh’s electoral victory was announced on 19 October. The names and identities of all those arrested have not been made public. However, they are known to include Dr Moudou Manneh, a member of the opposition coalition which contested the presidential elections, who was a minister in the previous government of President Jawara.

Few details on the reasons for the arrests have been released. However, a police statement said that 13 people had been arrested on public order offences and for disturbing the peace.

Dr Manneh and Lamine Sillah are held incommunicado at the headquarters of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) in the capital, Banjul. A delegation of human rights activists and lawyers tried to see Lamine Sillah today, but was denied access.

Judge Christensen, the owner of an independent radio station, Radio 1 FM, was arrested this morning but released this afternoon.

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

- asking why Lamine Sillah, Dr Moudou Manneh and at least 10 others have been arrested;

- stating that Amnesty International believes that Lamine Sillah and Dr Moudou Manneh are prisoners of conscience, detained solely because of their human rights work or political opposition to President Jammeh, and calling for them to be released immediately and unconditionally;

- expressing concern that the men are detained incommunicado, and asking the authorities to guarantee that they and all the others detained will be allowed regular contact with their families and lawyers, and humanitarian and human rights organizations;

- calling for Lamine Sillah and all others detained since 19 October to be protected from ill-treatment in custody.

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

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 4 December 2001.