Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative Boss On Ghanaian Killings In Gambia

Maja Daruwala, the Executive Director of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative has expressed dissatisfaction about Gambia’s human rights situation saying that the Jammeh administration is not a respecter of human rights. Speaking from her office in India Tuesday, madam Daruwala  told Radio Freedom that The Gambia is one of the nations in Africa, where a lot of improvement is needed in the areas of human rights, good governance, and the respect for the rule of law. To access the link, please click this audio link :

Audio Link http://www.box.net/shared/rk24ngves0 

The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative boss said recent threats coming from President Jammeh in which he (Mr. Jammeh) vowed to deal with human rights activists was not only uncalled for, but totally irresponsible on the side of the head of state. She said human rights activists should be allowed to work freely without any threat, or interference from any Government.

Maja Daruwala also commented on the death of 60 West African nationals—the majority of whom were Ghanaian nationals, who were killed in The Gambia in 2004, by Gambia’s security agents. She said those behind the heinous crime should be brought to book in the interest of justice.

Describing the incident as very unfortunate, and inhumane, the human rights activist said even though both the Ghanaian and The Gambian Government had agreed for a monetary compensation to be issued out to the bereaved families, she noted that the killings of West African nationals that took place in The Gambia was unacceptable. She said all hands should be on deck to bring those behind the killings to book.

For  Maja Daruwala, the administration of President Jammeh is intolerant to free press, human rights, and the rule of law. She said  the crackdown on the private press must stop, and therefore calls on Governments around the world to make official information accessible to the public—including the media. She said access to official information should be a right and not privilege.

According to  Maja Daruwala, there are implications for Governments to censor information.  She said lack of official information could lead to  misinformation. She said the only way Governments can hold the press accountable is by making free flow of information. 

Audio Link http://www.box.net/shared/rk24ngves0