CPP condemn Gambia human rights abuses

Accra, Sept. 2, GNA - The Convention People's Party (CPP) on Thursday condemned the government of the Gambia for gross human rights abuses against its citizens and nationals of other countries.

Citing the 2010 United Nations Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) assessment of the human rights situation in the Gambia, the CPP reminded ECOWAS that condition in The Gambia posed a security threat to the region.

A statement signed by Dr Adolf Lutterodt, the CPP Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, said the UPR report cited the Gambia's failure to cooperate with the Human Rights Council and various bodies in meeting reporting requirements.

Others issues include allegations of unwillingness to engage with UN special procedures, particularly the Special Rapporteur on Torture, violations of freedom of the press and freedom of expression and allegations of arbitrary arrest, detention, disappearances and killings of journalists, security prisoners, human rights defenders and other political prisoners.

The rest of the human rights abuses were the prevalence of violence against women, trafficking, sexual exploitation and female genital mutilation, and the lack of specific legislation to address these issues.

Dr Lutterodt also called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to advice Ghana's missions abroad to look out for, register and protect Ghanaians in the Gambia.

The CPP appealed to the government to collaborate with other international bodies including the United Nations, African Union, and ECOWAS to put pressure on the Gambian government to respect the rule of law and stop all forms of human rights abuses.