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2SUPPORT OUR FUNDRAISER FOR DETAINED VICTIMS OF HOMOPHOBIA IN THE GAMBIA

Fatu Camara
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Since the 7th November 2014, a group of 12 men, women and a boy, is held incommunicado in The Gambia, West Africa, on suspicion of being gays and lesbians or LGBTs. More arrests are anticipated from a list with about 200 names compiled by the country’s secret police, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

Apart from the usual written protest by rights groups and the prejudicial remarks by religious hypocrites, no prominent person, Gambian or non-Gambian, has gone further in taking decisive action for the detainees to be given the chance to defend themselves before the courts of competent jurisdictions that should prove their guilt. Until then, they remain innocent.

Since the publication of my thought-provoking essay titled “The Gambia’s problem is bisexuality and religious hypocrisy; not homosexuality”, I find myself in the national discourse on this sensitive topic. Some bigots tried to blackmail me over it and called me all sorts of names.

During my first Gambian visit in 2012, I was surprised by live viewers’ questions on homosexuality when I appeared on that taboo-shaking episode of The Fatu Show. While many people chose silence, blind support for the anti-gay narrative or half-hearted calls for the respect of pluralism, I chose to shake the conventions by placing the mirror before The Gambian Society. In my that “Whats On Gambia” interview, I was asked about homosexuality. Every now and then, people do contact me on my stance on the issue.

This statement explaining the purpose of our NTI XANNEN fundraiser is not about fighting the government or promoting homosexuality and queer lifestyles. It is about strengthening social justice and equality before the law, be it Common, Customary or Sharia, without prejudice.

Even those hiding behind religion and culture to spew out homophobic comments cannot quote relevant sections of the Sharia code that call for impunity. All progressive and civilized religions and cultures create rooms for the due process of the law to be applied for all without discrimination. If someone is accused of adultery, theft, murder and other crimes in a Secular or theocratic context, the adjudication process must follow proper procedures.

When Amina Lawal of Northern Nigeria was dragged before a local Sharia court on allegations of adultery, a crime many hypocrites condemning homosexuality are committing round the clock, the higher courts in Nigeria subsequently threw out the case as Mrs Lawal was not treated fairly from the onset.

Defending religion and culture without respecting their prescribed religious guidelines on the delivery of justice is outright hypocrisy. It is unconstitutional, un-Islamic and un-African to detain people or deny them their basic rights without the due process. The suspected Gambian gays and lesbians were placed in detention for more than three weeks. This is far beyond the 72-hour constitutional detention limit guaranteed to every human being within the Jurisdiction of The Gambia. This denial of rights is fundamentally wrong and overtly un-Islamic. The accused persons should either be taken to court or sent back home to rebuild their livelihoods that are now destroyed through stigma and prejudice.

My NTI XANNEN medium and I are launching this fundraiser as part of my established humanitarian engagement both in public and private. When the GAMCOTRAP ladies were dragged to court, I participated in a Maafanta.com fundraiser for them. When domestic journalists were arrested for requesting peaceful demonstration permits, I contributed to a fund-raising appeal for them. I can go on and on.

As a goodwill ambassador for minorities and threatened peoples, I cannot cherry-pick by speaking out for vulnerable women and natives and leaving out the sexual minorities.

Nobless oblige. Since people are reluctant to fight harder for persons suspected of being Gambian LGBTs for whatever reason, I cannot abandon my social responsibility. Unlike some of the lousy moral and political hypocrites here and there, I am not desperate for government jobs and contracts and I do not need the blessings of any hate preacher to go to heaven hereafter.

If compassion and humanitarian solidarity are crimes before God and Man, then I am ready to go to hell or die in jail. I am not begging or running after anyone to contribute to this fundraiser as this is not a common begging programme for charities. I am providing my brand name and status as platforms for those who want to promote social justice and make a concrete point against discrimination of a voiceless minority that is being abused as bargaining commodity for religious and political agenda. Those who wish to contribute are welcomed.

The detractors who just want to be spoilers and engage in the usual “garewalleh”, gossips, idle talks and fabrication of tales against this noble cause in order to appease the establishments are free to dance on their keyboards and smart phones against me.

This fundraiser is meant to primarily support the suspected LGBTs in their quest for justice. Depending on the amount raised, the balance would be used to help them rebuild their lives with income-generating activities that could make them live independently and productively in society.

I will remain accountable to only those who contribute to the fundraiser through the indicated GO FUND ME portal below or other anonymous means that can be explained upon request to my email or inbox.

As the saying goes, put your money where your mouth is. Anyone who is interested in being kept updated on the way the generated funds would be spent in supporting the suspected LGBT detainees in The Gambia, he or she should first chip in something to prove his or her seriousness. A confidential line of communication with donor/patrons will be maintained and the strict Data and Privacy Protection Laws of Germany will be applied.

Those who with serious questions to ask are free to email me at:

Prince Bubacarr Aminata Sankanu

http://www.gofundme.com/Gambiajustice4LGBT

http://www.ntixannen.com/humanitarian-action.html

NTIXANNEN.COM

RFK CENTER CONDEMNS SWAZI COURT DECISION NOT TO DISMISS CHARGES AGAINST A HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER AND A JOURNALIST

Fatu Camara
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The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights have released a statement today strongly condemning a decision by a the Supreme Court of Swaziland. Charges against human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko and journalist Bheki Makhubu will not be dismissed, the court decided. Just like the case of many Gambian journalists who are prosecuted on “senseless” charges like a story with a headline “ruling party supporters cross carpet to the opposition,” earlier this year, a Swazi court convicted the duo for contempt of the court in what was seen as a major blow to journalism and human rights in Swaziland.

Below is the statement from the RFK Center:

“We strongly and collectively condemn the decision issued this morning by the Supreme Court of Swaziland to reject the dismissal of charges against human rights attorney Thulani Maseko and journalist Bheki Makhubu. Today’s decision was announced without comment or explanation from the presiding judges, in violation of widely recognized international legal standards. The conviction and continued detention of Mr. Maseko and Mr. Makhubu violates the constitution of Swaziland, as well as regional and international legal commitments that the country has signed and ratified.

Mr. Maseko and Mr. Makhubu have been imprisoned for nearly 300 days. They were arrested in March of this year, following the publication of articles in which they criticized the arrest of a government vehicle inspector who, in the performance of his official duties, had impounded a judge’s car due to suspected improper use. Mr. Maseko and Mr. Makhubu’s arrests were immediately challenged in court. On April 6, Judge Mumcy Dlamini dropped the charges against them, saying the arrests were “unconstitutional, unlawful and irregular.” Three days later, Chief Justice Michael Ramodibedi ordered the two men re-arrested, after which a highly irregular trial ensued, ultimately resulting in their conviction in July. Mr. Maseko and Mr. Makhubu were given severe and disproportionate sentences of two years in prison and a significant fine.

Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu have been declared prisoners of conscience by Amnesty International. In addition, a wide range of international human rights organizations, including the American Bar Association, the Committee to Protect Journalists, the International Commission of Jurists, the International Federation for Human Rights, Freedom House, the American University Washington College of Law Center for Human Rights & Humanitarian Law, and the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, have condemned their conviction and unlawful detention. Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, several United Nations Special Rapporteurs, and a growing list of high profile figures have spoken out on their behalf.

Today, the Supreme Court of Swaziland had the opportunity to correct a grave miscarriage of justice. Instead, it issued yet another flawed decision – in a series of already irregular and suspect decisions in this case – grounded neither in the fair and impartial application of the law or in the administration of due process.

Today, there is no justice in Swaziland.

In light of these developments, the ongoing miscarriage of justice against human rights defenders, and based on the findings of our recent delegation visit to Swaziland, we call for the:

 Immediate and unconditional release of Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu;

 Prompt administration of a fair, impartial and timely appeal;

 End of the ongoing harassment and intimidation of journalists and human rights defenders;

 Support, both public and private, for free expression and an independent media in Swaziland.

For more information on this case and international advocacy efforts, please visit www.swazijustice.org.”

Fatu’s message to Eumeu Sene

Fatu Camara
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Fatu’s message to Eumeu Sene

THREE PEOPLE ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF BEING GAY; OTHERS ON THE RUN AS JAMMEH SEEKS ANOTHER MAJOR DISTRACTION

Fatu Camara
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Reports reaching Fatu Radio have indicated Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh is finally making good on his promise that gays and lesbians are not welcomed in The Gambia and if anyone is caught on suspicion of being one, he or she will “regret being born”. Over the weekend at least three men were arrested on suspicion of being gay at the Duplex Nightclub and are currently detained at National Intelligence Agency in Banjul.

Alieu Sarr (pictured above – L), Morr Sowe (pictured above – R) and Kemo Sanneh (17 year old) are all in custody on suspicion of being gay.

The arrest has sent a shocking wave of fear throughout the gay community in the tiny West African nation resulting to many fleeing to neighboring countries fearing that Jammeh might carry out his threats.

On Tuesday, November 11, 2014 also saw another group of gays fleeing to neighboring countries including a group of lesbians for fear of getting caught in the dragnet.

It has been brought to our attention that the investigators are now going from home to home with a man suspected to be gay to identify other gay people in the community. “This has caused a lot of concerns among Gambians” according to one of the NIA agents who spoke to us on condition of anonymity and is part of the arresting officers. The agent described the operation as a “witch-hunt,” lamenting that they cannot even identify who is gay or not.

President Yahya Jammeh who has made his hatred for gays and lesbians no secret, has been issuing threat after threat against the community for a long time. He has also backed up his threats with legislative action. The Gambia amended the criminal code last August to include a life sentence for “aggravated homosexuality”. This move was condemned by Human Rights groups and the international community as harsh and unjust.

“We will fight these vermin called homosexuals or gays the same way we are fighting malaria-causing mosquitoes, if not more aggressively.”

“Homosexuality is anti-humanity. I have never seen homosexual chicken or turkey.”

“Homosexuality is anti-god, anti-human, and anti-civilization. Homosexuals are not welcome in the Gambia. If we catch you, you will regret why you are born. I have buffalos from South Africa and Brazil and they never date each other. We are ready to eat grass but we will not compromise on this. Allowing homosexuality means allowing satanic rights. We will not allow gays here.”

“Let me make it very clear that, if you want me to offend God for you to give me aid, you are making a great mistake; you will not bribe me to do what is evil and ungodly.”

“Gays are ‘vermin’ and should be treated worse than mosquitoes.”

Yahya made these comments in speeches across the Gambia and the world including the UN General Assembly Session is 2013 and during the State Opening of the Parliament, a form a State of the Union address.

Political observers and analysts have opined that this latest move is yet another distraction strategy from the Gambia’s iron fist Jammeh. The want-to-be “King” of mainland Africa’s smallest country is facing increased opposition on the ground as rumors of efforts by youths to organize mass protests in the country are growing. “He is therefore trying to use gays as pawns to shift attention from the general discontent among the population since anti-gay actions are still popular among the majority Muslim population,” the observers and analysts agreed.

“We should fear the worst at this point since some or all of those arrested can be killed any moment if the International community and gay rights groups don’t intervene. We have seen this movie before with the execution of 9 mostly political prisoners back in August 2012,” one of the members of the Gambian gay community lamented.

At this moment, some of the members of the gay community are on the run and in neighboring countries are currently homeless with nowhere to stay and without food.

UDP Press Release On The Party Leader’s Non-Participation At The Civil Society Forum 2/10/2015

Fatu Camara
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Earlier this month UDP received an invitation from Dr. Scattred–Janneh to a meeting called Civil Society Forum on the Gambia being organized to discuss matters relating to the political situation in the Gambia in New York. It was learnt that leaders of other Gambian opposition parties were also invited.

Initially, the UDP Leader accepted the invitation and had planned to attend personally. However, due to unexpected circumstances beyond his control, he couldn’t make the journey to America. The National Executive of the party nominated Honorable Momodou Sanneh as a replacement and communicated this change to the organizers of the meeting in good time, at least 10 days prior to the meeting date. In response, the organizers indicated their inability to fund Honorable Momodou Sanneh’s trip on the grounds that the nomination came “when the organization was already over budgeted”. The party leader and the UDP National Executive found this reason rather strange since there must have been a budget set aside to cover the Party leader’s participation, i.e. air ticket, hotel accommodation etc. Selective and substitutive representation of an organization at such fora is common and understandable practice, and usually accommodated.

Secondly, with the nomination of Honorable Sanneh, the UDP would have been adequately represented, like the other participating parties, by a top official, who would have been endowed with full powers by the Executive and Party Leader to speak for and act on behalf of the United Democratic Party. Thirdly, Honorable Sanneh, it should be noted, is one of the most senior members of the National Executive of the UDP and was the former Minority Leader in the National Assembly. He is therefore, in his own right ,an astute and very knowledgeable politician who would have brought immense knowledge and experience to the proceedings of the New York meeting which would have definitely enriched the discussions and widen its results.

We all know that multi-party democracy and competitive liberal electoral politics can hardly work without organized political parties. They provide the platform for like-minded citizens to participate collectively in a political process that would otherwise be left in the hands of a small elitist group, detached rom the masses of citizenry.

The UDP reiterate its long held willingness and readiness to participate at all times in any forum aimed at discussing ways and means of rescuing our country from the clutches of tyranny and decadence.

The UDP hopes that with this statement, the subject of its non-participation at the New York meeting which has led to certain innuendoes and mischaracterization in the media would be laid to rest.

Finally, we extend our felicitations to the organizers of the Civil Society meeting for organizing this encounter bringing together Gambian stakeholders and friends of the Gambia and others to discuss issues of the Gambia’s present problems and its future.

UDP DIASPORA

10/3/2015

As Tajudeen Winds Up Business Activity In The Gambia, Families Fear For Desperate Times Ahead

Fatu Camara
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It is now official. The Tajudeen Business Empire in the Gambia is finally winding up for an eventual close-down after Gambia’s dictator Yahya Jammeh unceremoniously expelled the business tycoon from the Gambia accusing him of selling expired chicken legs to the unsuspecting populace. According to sources, Tajudeen’s businesses including the famous Kairaba Shopping Centre are now put up for sale by a local bank.

Tajudeen whose Business Empire is named after himself has since been residing in the neighbouring Senegal. The choice of Senegal could not be a better business option for Tajudeen  because since his unceremonious expulsion from the Gambia, Tajudeen has established outlets in Guinea Bissau while he uses Dakar, a strategically located city for commerce in the subregion as his operational base.

The move to finally windup all business operations in the Gambia has been greeted with panic and fear not only among his employees and ordinary people but also among government circles as well. Tajudeen is the biggest tax payer in The Gambia and at the peak of his business activity, he was paying nothing less than D50 million dalasi as tax every month. As the biggest importer of chicken and other food items in The Gambia, he used to import up to 300 containers monthly providing the much needed income to clearing agents, truck drivers and labourers a the Ports Authority.

In a country where unconfirmed unemployment figures show that up to 65 of young people are not in gainful employment, news of Tajudeen closing down operations in the Gambia has sent shockwaves among his employees numbering up to 700. A large number of local business in the informal sector that serve as agents selling his chicken legs around the country are also worried about huge business loses.

In addition, some senior officials at the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), the government agency responsible for tax collection, told Fatu Radio that with the closure of Tajudeen’s businesses in the country, it would be difficult now for the GRA to meet monthly tax collection targets.

One GRA official told Fatu Radio “with his monthly tax at D50 million, Tajudeen’s annual tax contribution to the state used to be between 600 – 700 million Dalasis. This is almost a quarter of our entire annual budget.”

Fatu Radio has confirmed that Gambia’s President, dictator Jammeh has made repeated personal pleas for Tajudeen to come back but the business tycoon has refused siting the erratic behaviour of Jammeh and his unpredictability in dealing with not only his perceived enemies but even his friends and business people as well.

There are some concerns however that the erratic Gambian leader whose ego is now permanently bruised by Tajudeen’s refusal to come back to the Gambia, could use his personal ties with the President of Guinea Bissau to create problems for the business tycoon.

For now though ordinary people employed by of Tajudeen and indeed the government itself are paying a heavy price in terms of loss in gainful employment and much needed tax revenue because of President Jammeh’s erratic behaviour and greed.

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