The Center for Human Rights and Development (CHRD) has condemned the fatal shootings of Faraba Banta peaceful protesters by officers of the Police Intervention Unit. In a press release published below, the rights group urged The Gambia government to open up investigation into the matter as soon as possible.
CHRD CONDEMN THE KILLINGS AT FARABA BANTANG VILLAGE
Center for Human Rights and Development advocate for respect for human and people’s rights by all means. The right to engage in peaceful demonstration is enshrined in 1997 Constitution of the Gambia and African Charter for human rights in which the GAMBIA is a signatory. It is confirmed that two demonstrators or environmentalists were killed in Faraba Village and several injured which is a gross violation of their human rights. The use of lethal force in quelling protests is unlawful and must seize to happen in democratic States. We call on the government of the Gambia to open up an investigation into this matter as soon as possible with an aim to establish who authorized the used of Fire arms and who pull the trigger that resulted to killing and bring them to justice.
CHRD also condemn, in strongest terms, physical and verbal assaults on journalist Pa Modou Bojang who has not committed any crime. It makes no sense to physically assault anyone who has undergone heart surgery. As a result, the heartless PIU beaters must be responsible for Pa Modou.
It is high time for the government to give justice its due and respect for rule of law be adhere to. Human rights violation should be a thing of pass as it has no place in this New Gambia. The principles of democracy most be fully utilize for inclusive growth and development in the Gambia. The security forces most understand that citizenry are not their enemies and their job is to secure the lives and prosperities of the citizenry as dictated by the constitution of the Gambia.
“The government must Stop all sand mining activities in Faraba and all other communities and engage them on dialog in resolving the issues peacefully,” says the executive Director of Center for Human Rights and Development (CHRD) Mr. Yaya Dampha.
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