Amnesty calls for commitment on Gambian rights

By Thomas Naadi

Amnesty International has called on The Gambia’s presidential candidates to commit to improving the human rights situation in the country as well as to ensure victims of violations under former president Yahya Jammeh get justice.

Mr Jammeh has previously denied allegations against him. 

The human rights group has launched a seven-point manifesto urging the presidential candidates to commit to fighting impunity, ending sexual and gender-based violence and discrimination against women, and abolishing the death penalty, among other demands.

Amnesty International also wants some laws repealed including the Sedition Act and the law on information and communications which empowers the authorities to intercept communications for surveillance purposes without a court permit. 

According to the rights group, former president Jammeh’s regime oversaw the worst forms of human rights violations in the country. 

The Gambia elections will be held on 4 December.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Getty