Livewire - Amnesty International blogging for human rights

Kali Mercier, Amnesty International, Jeremy Dear, National Union of Journalists and Owen Tudor, Trades Union Congress, at the Gambia demonstration

Despite the imminent threat of rain, fifty outraged people gathered outside the Gambia High Commission in Kensington, London today (21 July) to protest the lack of freedom for people living in the Gambia. Specifically, we were keen to highlight the lack of press freedom in the country.

Amnesty International’s section in the UK was joined in the protest by the Trades Union Congress and the National Union of Journalists, as well as by a contingent of Gambians living in the UK – including a number of refugees, driven out of the country by human rights abuses there.

Journalists from BBC Focus at the Gambia demonstration ©Amnesty International

We waved placards saying ‘Where is Ebrima?’ in four different languages. Journalist Ebrima Manneh has been missing since his ‘disappearance’ in July 2006 when Gambian officials arrested him, supposedly for trying to print an article critical of the government.

We also had seven placards with seven silhouettes, each representing one of the journalists and trade unionists currently facing trial in the Gambia on charges of sedition after they criticised the President. Other placards demanded free speech, an end to the rule of fear and workers’ rights. Meanwhile, we shouted!

Jim Boumelha, President of the International Federation of Journalists, at the Gambia demonstration

“Where is Ebrima? Tell us NOW! Where is Ebrima? Free him NOW!”

“Gambia: Shame on YOU! Press Freedom NOW! Gambia: Shame on YOU! Freedom from fear NOW!”

The High Commission squeaked opened its door just wide enough for an Amnesty representative (me!) to squeeze through and present them with a letter for the President and a photo album created from photos taken by activists in 25 countries, all asking the question “Where is Ebrima?”.

I asked the High Commission rep where Ebrima is and he said he had no idea - but he agreed that the government should investigate his disappearance. Well we’ll be following up on that one! See the photos we put in the album at http://www.whereisebrima.org