Gambia: Information on the situation of ministers, members and supporters of the People's Progressive Party (PPP) since the coup of 22 July 1994 and on 10 November 1994 and on the general situation in the country
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 June 1996 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | GMB24363.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Gambia: Information on the situation of ministers, members and supporters of the People's Progressive Party (PPP) since the coup of 22 July 1994 and on 10 November 1994 and on the general situation in the country, 1 June 1996, GMB24363.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac0124.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to two Reuters reports, 40 militants of People's Progressive Party (PPP), the former ruling party, were arrested on suspicion of planning a demonstration against the military government (15 Oct. 1995; 14 Oct. 1995). Also arrested were four former ministers, who were accused by the army of planning the demonstration to demand the reinstatement of former president Sir Dawda Jawara (Reuters 15 Oct. 1995).
Amnesty International was concerned about the well-being of 40 people arrested on and around 12 October 1995, alleged to be PPP ministers or supporters (23 Oct. 1995, 1).
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1995 also states that many of those detained in October 1995 had ties to the PPP (1996, 102).
Africa Research Bulletin reported that about 35 PPP members have been charged with "conspiracy" and the date of their trial has not been set (25 Jan. 1995, 12097).
Twenty-five alleged supports of the former ruling PPP, charged with sedition and released on bail 12 January 1996, were re-arrested the same day, although the basis of their re-arrest was unclear (AI 26 Jan. 1996, 1).
For general information on the human rights situation in Gambia, please see the attached articles. These documents add to the information in the Regional Documentation Centres.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [London]. 25 January 1996. Vol. 32, No. 12. "In Brief: The Gambia."
Amnesty International. 26 January 1996. Urgent Action: Gambia: Fear of Ill-Treatment/Legal Concern. (AI Index: AFR 27/03/96). London: Amnesty International.
_____. 23 October 1995. Urgent Action: Gambia: Fear of Ill-Treatment/Legal Concern. (AI Index: AFR 27/04/95). London: Amnesty International.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1995. 1996. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.
Reuters. 15 October 1995. BC Cycle. Pap Saine. "Four Ex-Ministers Held in Gambia Crackdown." (NEXIS)
_____. 14 October 1995. BC Cycle. "Militants Of Gambia's Ex-Ruling Party Arrested." (NEXIS)
Attachments
Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [London]. 25 January 1996. Vol. 32, No. 12. "In Brief: The Gambia," p. 12097.
Amnesty International. 26 January 1996. The Gambia: Erosion of Human Rights Safeguards Continues. (AI Index: AFR 27/02/96). London: Amnesty International, pp. 1-3.
_____. 26 January 1996. Urgent Action: Gambia: Fear of Ill-Treatment/Legal Concern. (AI Index: AFR 27/03/96). London: Amnesty International.
_____. 23 October 1995. Urgent Action: Gambia: Fear of Ill-Treatment/Legal Concern. (AI Index: AFR 27/04/95). London: Amnesty International.
_____. 16 August 1995. "Gambia: Reintroduction Of Death Penalty-A Retrograde Step." (AI Index: AFR 27/03/95). London: Amnesty International HR> Reuters. 15 October 1995. BC Cycle. Pap Saine. "Four Ex-Ministers Held in Gambia Crackdown." (NEXIS)
_____. 14 October 1995. BC Cycle. "Militants Of Gambia's Ex-Ruling Party Arrested." (NEXIS)
