Below we produce a letter sent to us by the daughter of the detained UDP campaign manager, Lamin Ndanbung Dibba. She stated that her dad needs to see an optician urgently as he is gradually losing sight in one eye.
My heart is heavy!! Reports reaching me are that my father Lamin Ndanbung Dibba is gradually losing sight in one of his eyes. He sustained a ‘hit’ close to one of his eyes by members of the Gambia Police Intervention Unit during the peaceful protests of April 16th in the Gambia. He and his arrested colleagues are all elderly citizens that have various medical conditions needing the attention of specialists.
My understanding is that for the past 74 days and counting that they have been imprisoned, they were only attended to by a Medical Doctor once. Their medical needs are not being adequately addressed and they are refused transportation to the Hospital or visit by a bonafide medical doctor for proper medical treatment. The medical practitioner at the Mile II prisons where they are being held only prescribes medication at their (my father, his colleague) request and then the family members fill these prescriptions for them . This is a travesty in itself.
My dad needs to see an eye specialist URGENTLY before he loses complete sight in one of his eyes. So does the rest of his colleagues including female members who are in dire/critical medical conditions requiring the attention of specialists. So far the Gambia APRC Government under the leadership of Yahya Jammeh has vehemently denied them access to urgently needed medical help. I am concerned for their well-being. The Director of Prisons, Justice O Dada and the entire Judiciary, The Minister of Justice and the Minister of Interior are all collectively responsible for their safety and well being while there being imprisoned. We will hold you accountable for anything that happens to them.
They are not asking for any special treatment or privilege, all they request is their due rights. I therefore ask the authorities in charge to do their damn job that they are being paid for.We are monitoring the conditions in the Gambia carefully, noting all the atrocities and injustices. Justice delayed is Justice denied. Gambia is a small country and we know each other. Justice will prevail either in this lifetime or the next. At the end of the day, just remember that we are all capable of the treatments you’re according our parents.
