By Buba Gagigo
Amnesty International has urged President Adama Barrow’s government to dismiss what they deem “baseless” charges against human rights activist Madi Jobarteh in a letter to the Gambian government.
Jobarteh was charged with seditious intention, incitement to violence, false publication, and broadcasting on November 9, 2023. If convicted, he could face up to six years in prison. Amnesty International expressed concern that these charges are related to Jobarteh’s human rights advocacy work.
“Amnesty International is concerned that the charges against Madi Jobarteh are in connection with his human rights work,” they said.
The organization accuses the authorities of using criminal charges to hinder Jobarteh’s freedom of expression, association, and his human rights activities. They emphasized that such actions violate international human rights agreements guaranteeing freedom of opinion, expression, and association.
“In so doing, the Gambian authorities violate their international human rights obligations under both the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that guarantee the rights to freedom of opinion and expression and association. In light of the above, I urge you to ensure that the baseless charges against Madi Jobarteh are immediately dropped and that he is allowed to freely exercise his human rights” they said.
Amnesty International also called on President Barrow’s government to investigate allegations of intimidation, harassment, threats, and attacks against Jobarteh and his family thoroughly and transparently, ensuring fair trials for any suspected perpetrators.
Furthermore, they requested that Jobarteh be allowed to continue his human rights work without reprisals and that his right to privacy be respected, including the return of his and his daughter’s phones.
“Finally, I urge you to ensure that Madi Jobarteh is able to freely carry out his human rights work without any reprisals, and ensure that his right to privacy is respected including by returning his phone and that of his daughter,” they said.
The organization provided a brief overview of Jobarteh’s experiences with the Gambian government, citing instances of online intimidation, harassment, and a raid on his home by intelligence units. They noted Jobarteh’s arrest on October 9, 2023, his subsequent release on bail, and the denial of access to his lawyer while in custody.
“On 2 May 2022, Your Excellency accused Madi Jobarteh of being a “troublemaker” who wants to bring violence and burn down the country, putting his safety and security at risk.
“Madi Jobarteh has since faced online intimidation, harassment, threats, and attacks. On 6 October 2023, four officers from the State Intelligence Unit and the Criminal Intelligence Unit raided Madi Jobarteh’s house and questioned him about his Facebook posts.
“They advised he report to the nearest police station when they left, which Madi Jobarteh refused. Subsequently, police vehicles were seen loitering around his neighborhood. He posted about the incident on Facebook on 8 October 2023. The next day, on 9 October 2023, Madi Jobarteh was arrested and placed in judicial custody. The police also seized his phone and that of his daughter. While in custody, he was denied access to his lawyer. On 15 October 2023, he was released on a bail bond of 100,000 Dalasis (approximately 1,500 USD) and was required to report to the police.”