Gambia / Africa

  

CPJ seeks release of Ebrima Manneh in Gambia

Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalist urges you to end an unprecedented level of intimidation and detention of Gambian journalists by national security forces. Today marks the third anniversary of the disappearance of journalist “Chief” Ebrima Manneh–his whereabouts, health, and legal status are unknown. Manneh, a former reporter for the Daily Observer, was taken into government custody by security agents in July 2006.

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Seven journalists rearrested in the Gambia

We issued the following statement in response to reports that the Gambia’s High Court jailed six journalists today who were charged with sedition and criminal defamation. One of the seven journalists, a mother of a young child, was rearrested but then freed on bail…

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In Gambia, reporter still held after arrest at sedition hearing

New York, June 23, 2009–A Gambian reporter arrested on Monday while covering a pre-trial hearing in the sedition case of seven journalists jailed last week, was still being held without charge late today, according to local journalists and news reports.

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Gambian journalists freed on bail in sedition case

New York, June 22, 2009–Seven Gambian journalists charged with sedition last week for criticizing the president have been freed on bail, while two other detainees were released without charge, local journalists and the press union told CPJ today.

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My incomplete mission: From the Gambia to the States

My intention to remain in my home country, to use my pen to correct injustice, and to champion press freedom was aborted by security threats that forced me and my family into exile. I left behind my beloved country and editorial desk in the hands of perpetrators.  

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A Gambian journalist remembers torture in detention

The unlawful detention of seven Gambian journalists since last Monday is serious cause for concern. These respected journalists were detained at the National Intelligence Agency headquarters in Banjul for “interrogation.” They have been denied access by legal representation, family members, friends, or colleagues. On Thursday, they were charged with sedition for criticizing President Yahya Jammeh’s…

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Gambian journalists charged with sedition

New York, June 18, 2009–A magistrate in the Gambian capital, Banjul, today charged seven journalists with sedition for criticizing President Yahya Jammeh’s televised comments about the unsolved 2004 murder of editor Deyda Hydara, their defense lawyer said. Gambian security forces arrested an eighth journalist this morning, although no charges were immediately brought, according to the…

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Seven Gambian press leaders arrested over Hydara reaction

New York, June 16, 2009–The Committee to Protect Journalists called today for Gambia’s national security agency to release seven journalists it arrested on Monday. The detainees include leaders of the country’s press union and editors of newspapers that published a union press release criticizing President Yahya Jammeh’s recent comments about the unsolved 2004 murder of…

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CPJ condemns arrest of Gambian journalists

After receiving reports today of the arrest of seven senior Gambian journalists and press union leaders who criticized President Yahya Jammeh for remarks that bluntly refuted government involvement in the unsolved 2004 murder of an editor, we issued the following statement…

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Gambian journalist under arrest over false story

New York, June 12, 2009–The editor of a private newspaper in the Gambia has been in police custody since Wednesday because of a story that falsely reported the sacking of two government officials, according to local journalists.

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