The government of the Gambia has never respected anyone’s right and freedom ever since the then 29 year old lieutenant Yahya Jammeh unconstitutionally took power on 22nd July 1994 through a military coup. However the government has gone so low this time that children and family members of the failed attempted coup on 30th December 2014 members are arrested and detained without charge for more than 40 days and counting. According to news gathered by kaironews.com, Yusupha Lowe, 13, and Pa Alieu Lowe, 19, are still being held at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) detention centre in Banjul. They have so far spent 41 days in solitary confinement, as Human Rights for All investigator on the ground confirmed.

How can this be allowed to happen in the 21st century world, the British, US, China, EU and many other governments have a representative in the Gambia but what are they doing to ensure these people and indeed many others are released unconditionally or at least be charged in a court of law. The international community, especially the UN will fail in their duty to protect and safeguard the rule of law in the Gambia if they leave that brutal dictator called Yahya Jammeh to continue on this trend.

A. Ceesay