Gambia: New Amnesty International film documents the courage of human rights defenders

LONDON, 16 Jan. - (ANA)  - Ahead of the first anniversary of President Adama Barrow’s inauguration this week, Amnesty International is launching a film documenting the courage of Gambian human rights defenders who risked everything to resist oppression under the 22-year regime of previous president Yahya Jammeh.

The film “We Never Gave Up: Stories of Courage in Gambia” will be publicly screened on the evening of 17 January in the capital Banjul.

“For 22 years, we documented Gambians living in a climate of fear. Their rights were denied and many were subjected to torture, arbitrary detention and widespread surveillance. But even in those dark days, there were people brave enough to stand up and challenge the abuse of power,” said Alioune Tine, Amnesty International’s West and Central Africa Regional Director.

“Whether they were journalists, human rights lawyers, community leaders, young activists or victims of abuses, they never gave up. Our film portrays their stories, showing the world a lesson that what happened in Gambia is proof of the power and change that human rights defenders can bring about.”

“President Barrow’s first year in office has included some momentous steps towards ensuring the respect and protection of human rights, but there remains a huge amount to do in order to make a decisive break with the country’s brutal past.”

President Adama Barrow was inaugurated on 19 January 2017, following his election in December 2016. He has released dozens of prisoners held for political reasons and reversed Gambia’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court.

One hundred days after his inauguration, Amnesty International published a document called ‘Human rights priorities for the new Gambian government’ which  insisted upon several changes the organization considered to be a priority in order to better protect and respect human rights in the country. The document was handed to President Barrow during a meeting in which he promised that there would be “zero tolerance” for human rights violations under his government.

The public screening will be held on 17 January at 6.00pm at the Ebunjan Theatre Kanifing South, Banjul.  - (ANA) -

AB/ANA/ 16 January 2018 - - -