PUBLICAI Index: AFR 27/009/2001

26 October 2001

Further information on UA 267/01 (AFR 27/003/2001, 22 October 2001) and follow-ups (AFR 27/004/2001, 23 October and AFR 27/006/2001) - Fear of ill-

treatment/Incommunicado detention/Prisoner of Conscience

GAMBIAMohamed Lamine Sillah, Secretary General, Amnesty International Gambia

Over 20 members of the opposition United Democratic Party

Mohamed Lamine Sillah was released on bail on 26 October. He had reportedly not been ill-treated in detention.

He had been held at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), in the capital, Banjul. Over 20 members of the opposition United Democratic Party are reportedly still in custody at the NIA, and in police custody in Brikama and Mansa Konko.

Many thanks to all those who sent appeals. We will continue to campaign for the detained UDP members, by other means. If possible, please send a final round of appeals, in English or your own language:

- welcoming the release of Mohamed Lamine Sillah, whom Amnesty International considered a prisoner of conscience, but expressing concern that he was detained solely because of his human rights work;

- expressing concern that more than 20 United Democratic Party supporters are reportedly still 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 UDP supporters 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: + 220 228 060/223 578

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 7 December 2001.