Gambia election: Zeid warning on human rights violations
GENEVA (16 December 2016) – The increased military
presence deployed across The Gambia since President Yayha Jammeh rejected the
election result risks heightening the
current climate of intimidation and harassment in the country, UN High Commissioner
for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein
has warned.
“This is deeply worrying, given the record of human
rights violations in The Gambia, including excessive use of force against
demonstrators, arbitrary detention and deaths in custody, as well as allegations
of torture and ill-treatment of detainees,” Zeid said.
“We remind the Gambian authorities that people should be
able to exercise their rights to peaceful assembly, association and freedom of
expression. The security forces must exercise restraint in the use of force and
uphold international human rights standards,” Zeid said. “All those responsible
for human rights violations must be held accountable,” he added.
President Jammeh, who has been in power for more than 22
years, initially accepted that Adama Barrow had won. However, on 9 December,
Mr. Jammeh rejected the results published by the Independent Electoral
Commission (IEC) and called for fresh elections. On 13 December, his APRC party
filed a petition challenging the results with the Supreme Court.
“There is currently no sitting Supreme Court in The
Gambia and the way President Jammeh appointed and dismissed judges without
following the constitutional provisions has undermined the independence and
credibility of the judiciary,” Zeid noted.
“I urge the president and all political parties to
respect the result of the elections, the democratic process and the rule of
law,” the High Commissioner stressed.
The High Commissioner also called on Mr. Jammeh to
respect the independent status of the IEC, whose premises were taken over by
the army on Tuesday and officials ordered to leave. President Jammeh and his Government should
avoid resorting to threats or acts of
intimidation, including against Mr. Barrow and his supporters, and members of
the IEC, Zeid stressed.
“All parties should conduct themselves in a manner that
contributes to a peaceful atmosphere during this crucial period and, in
particular, avoid using inflammatory language. We urge all sides to reaffirm
their commitment to democracy and to work to ensure that there is a peaceful
handover of the presidency by 18 January in line with the freely expressed
desire and will of the Gambian people,” the High Commissioner stated.
ENDS
In Geneva: Rupert Colville (+41 22 917 9767
/rcolville@ohchr.org), Liz Throssell (+41 22 917 9466 / ethrossell@ohchr.org)
or Ravina Shamdasani (+41 22 917 9169 / rshamdasani@ohchr.org)
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