Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mr. Gaye TheVoice
Published on 2024-02-23 00:04:00
Amnesty International (AI) has raised concerns about the charges brought against Madi Jobarteh, a human rights defender in The Gambia, stating that they are politically motivated. The organization expressed its worry about the intimidation, harassment, threats, and attacks that Jobarteh has been facing from the Gambian authorities, including unlawful surveillance.
According to AI, the Gambian President accused Madi Jobarteh of being a “troublemaker” who wants to bring violence into the country back in May 2022. Since then, Jobarteh has been the target of online threats and harassment. On November 9, 2023, he was arbitrarily arrested and detained, and charged with seditious intention, incitement to violence, false broadcasting, and information. AI believes that these charges are a result of Jobarteh’s activities as a human rights defender, infringing upon his rights to freedom of expression and association.
Marta Colomer, AI’s Acting Regional Director for West Africa, wrote a letter to President Adama Barrow expressing her concerns about the treatment of Madi Jobarteh. She highlighted the incidents of intimidation, harassment, and attacks that Jobarteh has faced since the President’s accusations in May 2022. Colomer mentioned a specific incident on October 6, 2023, where officers raided Jobarteh’s house and questioned him about his Facebook posts, leading to his arrest on October 9, 2023. Jobarteh was denied access to his lawyer while in custody and was released on bail on October 15, 2023. He now faces potential imprisonment of up to six years if convicted of the charges brought against him.
AI believes that the charges against Jobarteh are directly related to his human rights work and are being used to restrict his freedom of expression and association. The organization called on the Gambian authorities to drop the charges against Jobarteh immediately and allow him to freely exercise his human rights. Colomer urged for a thorough and fair investigation into the allegations of intimidation, harassment, and threats against Jobarteh and his family, as well as ensuring that he can continue his human rights work without reprisals.
In conclusion, AI emphasized the importance of upholding international human rights obligations, including the rights to freedom of opinion, expression, and association. The organization urged President Barrow to ensure that Madi Jobarteh’s rights are respected, including the return of his and his daughter’s phones, and to hold those responsible for the harassment and threats against Jobarteh accountable in fair trials.
The case of Madi Jobarteh serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by human rights defenders in The Gambia and the importance of protecting their rights in a democratic society. AI continues to monitor the situation closely and calls for justice and respect for human rights in The Gambia.
Read the original article on The Voice Gambia
