OJ Hit At Government - Calls for Withdrawal of Threat On Journalists in Gambia

By Staff Reporter James Jammeh, Banjul

The Interim leader of the country's former ruling party, the PPP, Mr. Omar Jallow, has described as crime against journalists the prevailing air of fear among members of the press, which he said is caused by the threat imposed by the Gambian government.

OJ, as he is fondly called, made this remark at the symposium recently organized as part of commemorations of the 5th anniversary of the killing of veteran journalist, Deyda Hydara, who was gunned down by suspected armed government operatives.

According to OJ, journalists are worthy partners in development to any modern democracy in the crusade to safeguard human right issues, peace, freedom and other components of human development. He said in any country where journalists can be killed, jailed or attacked by arsonists without any culprits brought to justice, it would be very pitiful to call such a country democratic, since those responsible to inform the people are faced by serious threats, censorships and any other form of harassments by the government itself which is supposed to protect them.

Jallow condemned the fact that the killers of Deyda Hydara are till ''enjoying'' their lives, while Deyd's family continue to live with pain of not getting justice for the untimely and unacceptable demise of their loved one, a man who, he said, has contributed enormously towards the development of the Gambia and Gambians.

"I want to take this opportunity to call on Gambians to continue remembering Deyda's good work and generosity as manifested during his life time. Today he may be gone, but still we should mourn him as a great son and asset of the Gambia," OJ told participants.

''If people can be arrested for planning to overthrow the government within a twinkle, then why is it taking five solid years to arrest the perpetrators of this heinous crime against an innocent, decent guy like Deyda, who have love for all,'' he queried? And to those who take the liberty of their connection to the powers that be as ''a cover to kill innocent people should know that their days would soon come to an end, and that no stone would be left unturned.''  

 ENDS: 12/24/09