Statement by Jean Lambert on Gambia, Member of the European Parliament. ------------------------------------------- The upcoming EU-Africa summit (2nd – 3rd April) marks an opportunity to discuss areas for cooperation between the two continents. It is also a chance to shine a spotlight on the human rights situation in Gambia and other African countries. It is concerning to hear reports of increasing restrictions on media freedom, continuing reports of torture and disappearances, and the silencing of political opposition. I was especially shocked to hear about the case of Dr Amadou Janneh who was sentenced to life in jail for printing T-shirts. The poor human rights record of Gambia is no secret, having been highlighted by Amnesty International, the House of Commons in the UK Parliament, and Members of the European Parliament. I urge EU leaders to ensure human rights is a key feature in negotiations with Gambia at the upcoming summit in April where the next development funding tranche is also sure to be discussed. The EU is a leader in upholding the values of universal human rights, and now is a crucial time for Gambia to improve its record in advance of its Universal Periodic Review later this year.
Posted on: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 03:47:22 +0000
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