By Alhagie Jobe
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights highlighted before the UN Human Rights Council, the alarming and inflammatory speech, as well as alleged violence against protestors in the context of the electoral campaign in The Gambia.
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein highlighted the case of The Gambia in his opening statement on Tuesday at the 33rd Session of the Human Rights Council in New York.
The UN’s top human rights chief also expressed concern over the recent death in detention, and reported torture and ill-treatment of detainees in The Gambia saying a continuation of which may lead to serious repercussions.
“As I outlined at the June session of this Council, we have been alarmed by instances of inflammatory speech, as well as alleged violence against protestors in the context of the electoral campaign, and more recently, death in detention, and reported torture and ill-treatment of detainees. Given the potentially serious repercussions of any further decline in the situation, I believe it is urgent to assist the authorities to maintain respect for all human rights” Zeid told the human Rights Council.
Gambians go to the polls in December with incumbent President Yahya Jammeh seeking for a fifth term. The electioneering period is already marred by violence as the country’s leading opposition United Democratic Party leader Ousainou Darboe and other senior executive members and supporters are jailed some months ago, others died in state custody.
Adding more pressure on the country’s long time ruler, new political parties have also been formed and the country’s first female Independent presidential candidate launched her bid to join the race.
Zeid also confirmed that his office has requested clearance from The Gambia for a joint field mission in the small West African nation on human rights issue but Banjul hasn’t reply and they still hope to receive a positive response.
“In the Gambia the UN has requested clearance to field a joint mission and we await a positive response” he concluded.
