Call Yahya Jammeh to order – Okudzeto

Eminent lawyer and human rights activist, Sam Okudzeto says the Gambian President Yahya Jammeh must be called to order to ensure that human rights workers can work without any form of hindrance. Speaking to Asempa Today, Mr. Okudzeto indicated that the recent threat issued by the Gambian President that human rights workers in that country will be killed because saboteurs pose as human rights workers must be a great worry to all peace loving people. He has also called on the Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS] not to heed to an amendment being sought by the Gambian government on the jurisdiction of the ECOWAS Court. Meanwhile, a coalition of Civil Society Groups in the West African Sub-region has called on the ECOWAS body to as a matter of urgency call Mr. Jammeh to refrain from acts that will bring the sub-region into disrepute. In a press briefing on Monday afternoon, the Civil Society Group said after monitoring the degeneration of human rights situation in the Gambia, including the suppression of the media, abuse of power, disregard for the rule of law and brutality towards innocent civilians suspected to be opposed to the government, it deems it fit to call for action on the issue. Regional Coordinator of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, Nana Oye Lithur who spoke on behalf of the group of eleven members said the actions of the Gambian President must be denounced by all. They have also among others called for a relocation of the Human Rights Court from the Gambia. Below is the Statement of the Gambian President which has incensed human rights campaigners. “I will kill anyone, who wants to destabilize this country. If you think that you can collaborate with so called human rights defenders, and get away with it, you must be living in a dream world. I will kill you, and nothing will come out of it. We are not going to condone people posing as human rights defenders to the detriment of the country. If you are affiliated with any human rights group, be rest assured that your security and personal safety would not be guaranteed by my Government. We are ready to kill saboteurs.” Story by Kwadwo Asare-Baffour Acheampong, Asempa FM