Livewire - Amnesty International blogging for human rights

Amnesty International’s section Sierra Leone held a press conference at the section’s office to inform journalists of the gross human rights violations and the state of terror in Gambia. The press conference was attended by journalists of both the print and electronic media.

The agenda for the conference included: welcome and background information about the state of human rights in Gambia, a press statement and questions and answers session. The following press houses and TV stations attended: Awoko, New Vision, Exclusive, Premier News, Spark, Spectator, Journalists for Human rights, Radio Democracy 98.1, Premier Tok Radio, Sierra Leone Broadcasting Station TV, ABC TV and Bible Broadcasting Network Radio.

I, as section director, gave an exhaustive view of the issues. The key points in my statement included:

• The attention the world has drawn to the widespread gross human rights violations on “Freedom Day”, 22 July, which is commemorated as a holiday in the Gambia
• The repressive state agents – army, National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and police and the series of human rights violations concerns raised by Amnesty International
• The gagging of the media and level of violations experienced by journalists
• Specific instances of harassment, threats and unlawful killings of journalists like Ebrima Manneh, Musa Saidykhan, Deyda Hydara
• Amnesty International’s report on alleged cases of “witchcraft” and how citizens were subjected to inhuman treatments – drinking hallucinogenic concoctions and arbitrary detention and imprisonment
• Migrants and foreigners subjected to inhuman treatments including death

Solomon Sogbandi, the Campaigns and Growth Coordinator read the press release.  This was followed by questions and answers from journalists, to which answers were given. The journalists were provided with media packs to further their understanding.

I gave interviews to the SLBS radio and television, BBN, Premier Tok Radio and Radio Democracy 98.1. A live television interview is planned at the SLBS television station this afternoon.