Freedom of Expression under threat in The Gambia

The latest assault on free speech in Gambia exemplified in the conviction of former Information Minister is excessive and condemnable. Already, Article 19 has criticized the verdict of the High Court arguing that “printing t-shirts with political slogans is a basic form of expression. It is absurd to make this a criminal offence, let alone punish it with a prison sentence. It is also a clear violation of international standards on the right to freedom of expression that The Gambia is bound to uphold.”
The Executive Director of the London-based organization, Dr Agnes Callamard, said Article 19 was deeply concerned by the state of freedom of expression in The Gambia.
This decision, Callamard noted, testified to the worsening climate of censorship in the country and the urgent need to repeal its harsh media laws.
The Gambian legal system is riddled with inconsistencies as far as free expression guaranteed to citizens is concerned.
While the country’s Criminal Code views the publication and distribution of materials that incite hatred, contempt or disaffection against the president or the government as criminal offences, the constitution on the other hand guarantees freedom of speech.
Besides, The Gambia is also a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, which permit restrictions on the right to freedom of expression only in very narrowly defined circumstances.
Clearly, the relentless use of seditious offences in The Gambia to silence political dissidents and government critics in clear breach of domestic and international standards of freedom of expression cannot continue unchallenged.
Meanwhile, the former President of Gambian Press Union, Mr. Ndey Tapha Sosseh and two other members of The Coalition for Change in The Gambia Mr. Mathew K. Jallow and Mr. Famara Demba who are currently at large could face prosecution in the future.
Gambia’s sedition laws are largely outdated and out of step with the growing number of African countries who have removed these offences from their statute book.

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Posted by admin on Feb 11 2012. Filed under African News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry