An Open Letter To The British High Commissioner!!!

To His Excellency,

 Mr. Phil Sinkinson, CBE

 The British High Commissioner,

 Banjul,

 The Gambia, West Africa.

 Your Excellency,

May I most humbly, be allowed to express my concern as a British citizen, over the  conviction and imprisonment of six Journalists, by the Gambian High Court.

 A conviction described by The American State Department  spokesman Mr. P.J. Crowley as an "outrage and a travesty."

 The convicted, if you need to be reminded are;

 Mr.Sam Sarr

Mr.Pap Saine

Mr.Ebrima Saweneh

Mr Emil Touray

Mr.Pa Modou Faal

Ms.Sarata Jabbi Dibba

In my limited understanding of Law,{which you may correct as required} The original charge of Defamation is one of a Civil matter, which would appear to be centered on the published statement of The President of The Gambia Press Union. [GPU] This as a direct response to the earlier televised statement by the President of the Democratic Republic of The Gambia, in which he asserted that Neither he or The Gambian government had any hand in the unlawful killing of The Points co founder and Chief Editor, Mr. Deyda Hydara. This killing was situated close to the main police station in Kanifing on the 16th November 2004. Also injured were two female companions, who survived.

The President appeared animated and committed to the assertion of innocence, but did make remarks which in themselves appeared insensitive and inflammatory. The reaction from The President of The GPU, did challenge the sensitivity of the President’s remarks and urged,  that The Gambian government should commence a thorough investigation  leading to the apprehension of the Killers. Which for no apparent reason has never been furthered by concerted forensic investigation.

 Under known Law, Defamation is a civil matter and could be argued by counterclaim that the Presidents remarks actually incited the reaction, which was guarded, and that the breach could have been found to be of equal responsibility. It was therefore deeply disturbing to find the further charges added, which then lead to a criminal prosecution, removed rather hastily from a Magistrates court to a High Court.

 The imposition of a custodial sentence and the attached fines, of high tariff, seem to me to be an unwarranted escalation and bare no relation to the original exchange.

I am aware that a statement was given by yourself on the matter on behalf of The European Union. Please bare with me whilst I acknowledge the "limited" concerns expressed in that statement.

My questions as a British citizen and tax payer are as follows;

The British government through DFID have advertised a significant contribution of British tax payers money into the Gambian legal system, said to be in the order of 50 million dalasis.

 The British High Commission has also awarded a recent honour to one of the convicted

Mr Pap Saine and has established support in co-operation of that Gentleman's newspaper The Point Newspaper.

Can Your Excellency reassure me that British tax payers money is being well spent with The Gambian government, and would The High Commission still be able to function with its support to The Point Newspaper, in the enforced absence of Mr.Pap Saine.

In the High Commission's profile you list the joint ventures of co-operation with The Gambian government and state that Britain remains the most significant partner, in so many areas of mutual co-operation. In your speech of April 2009, in honour of Her Majesty The Queens  83rd birthday, you even list the extensive financial assistance to The Gambia. You also state that some 60,000 British visitors benefit the Gambia every year.

You did not however raise any concerns over the imprisonment of Mr.and Mrs David Fulton or that The detention of British Engineer Mr Charles Northfield warranted an opinion from you, that his detention and subsequent charge lead you to state that he was a "Scapegoat"

The subsequent bail conditions for all British citizens was extreme.

Can Your Excellency, explain to me as a fellow British citizen and tax payer, why Britain as such a major donor and partner in commerce and participation, did not make a statement  separate from The EU....akin to The American State Department on the outrage felt by America and other major instituions, including Amnesty International and our own British Journalistic Trade Union. This absence of Independent opinion baffles me and many others.

Your Excellency, you will recall I sent you an open letter some time back concerning the Unlawful Killing of some 44 Ghanaians and some 9 other African's upon The Gambia's sovereign territory. Your reply which, I have kept was open in response.

You expressed your equal concern and stated that The British government would be only too willing to offer forensic assistance if asked by The Gambian government. I also noted your view that you enjoyed good relationships with The Gambian government.

You may be aware of comments from The Vice President of Ghana last week that his government does not consider the matter of the deaths of so many Ghanaians closed.

My own opinion, is that in both the death of Mr.Hydara and the deaths of Ecowas citizens, the partnership that you so rightly exalt between The Gambia and Britain, would benefit from the involvement of The British Metropolitan police forensic teams to assist all the affected Ecowas governments. These matters are of public concern and as each is a member of Her Majesties Commonwealth, I fail to understand why such an undertaking has not commenced after all these years.

Can you therefore reassure me that you will raise the offer of assistance with not only The Gambian government, but also The Ghanian government and the joint Ecowas nations involved.

Could you also reassure me as a concerned British citizen that The British Government, will do all it can within its major partner status  with The Gambia and Commonwealth leadership

 to join with The American's to urge the immediate release of the 6 Gambian journalists in the earliest and most considerate time. Could you also urge The Gambian government to consider the transfer of British citizen's Mr. and Ms Fulton to a British prison, for the remainder of their sentence. Such an exchange between governments of Commonwealth status, should only serve to confirm the goodwill that exists. This would also reassure those British residents in The Gambia and those contemplating a holiday in The Gambia.

Those condemned are facing health issues which involve an innocent child and gentlemen with confirmed medical conditions, unsuitable to conditions of hard labour.

  I remain Most faithful and Respectfully,

 Mr. Michael Victor Scales. United Kingdom.

 Notes: According to Mr. Scales the said  letter has been forwarded, through his local Member of Parliament, to British Prime Minister Gorden Brown and to other concerned Members of The House of Commons.

He informs the Freedom Newspaper that the response has been positive and reassuring. Mr.Scales has given an undertaking to continue to advise all concerned parties to adhere to the political and democratic process. He also said he fully supports the position of The British High Commission in Banjul.