European Parliament has called on the European Union to devise a brutal response to the political violence and the human rights abuses of President Yahya Jammeh of The Gambia.
At a plenary session in Strasbourg recently,Members of European Parliament across Europe take turns to deplored the appalling situation in The Gambia.
Speaking at the debate Cecile Kashetu Kyene MEP from Italy said After the death of Solo Sandeng the EU can no longer tolerate the arrogance with which the Gambian security forces carry out the systematic repression of dissent in The Gambia.”We want to see in line with the Cotonou agreement carry out actions such as the freezing of non humanitarian aid to Banjul,in order to have target sanction such as travel ban to ensure people have responsibility for their action”
Jean-Paul Denanot MEP France,said EU cannot tolerate the rights of citizens of the Gambia been violated by the Gambian dictator.”We must do all we can to ensure the restoration of democracy to this country of less than two million people.EU must stand with the people of the Gambia”.
Notis Marias Greece MEP, said Since 1994 there has been disappearance in the country that are of political nature and the EU must take immediate action to put and end to this.
Stanislav Polcak MEP Czech Republic, calls on the EU to support opposition parties in The Gambia.”The EU is still the largest donor to the Gambia and I ask is it possible to support a government that act so despicably to its own citizens rather we should support the opposition”.
Neena Gill MEP UK pointed out the need to support Gambian civil society organisations who are in forefront standing up for reform in The Gambia.”Am also concern about the implication of elections in December against this backdrop can the election be really free and fair”.
Jordis Sebastia MEP Germany appealed to the EU to work closely with ECOWAS and AU to address the situation in the Gambia.We have got to stop what is happening in The Gambia.
Ignazio Carrao MEP Italy, describe President Jammeh as a brutal dictator who promotes corruption and nepotism and continiue to violate the rightsof its citizens.We call on the Gambian authorities to end illegal detention of Gambians.
David Martin MEP UK, said “We now need the Article 96 Consultation and we have to send a clear message to the Gambia they do not stop arbitrary arrests and if the police and NIA do not bring an end to brutality and torture, the EU would consider cutting all relations with them. This is a brutal regime and it needs brutal response”.
Alieu Badara Ceesay, CHRG-UK applaud the parliament for its support “The Campaign for Human Rights in The Gambia UK wish to thank the European Parliament and the European Commission for its continuous support to the oppressed people of The Gambia.We will continue to consult and confer with the Parliament and the Commission as well as individual members of European Parliament from the 28 member states to ensure that punitive action is taken against President Jammeh and those security officers involve in human rights violations against Gambians”.
By Alieu Badara Ceesay