16. Mai 2008
Opposition (insbesondere United Democratic Party, UDP)
a-6086 (ACC-GMB-6086)
Nnach einer Recherche in unserer Länderdokumentation und im Internet können wir Ihnen zu oben genannter Fragestellung Materialien zur Verfügung stellen, die unter anderem folgende Informationen enthalten:
Anmerkung: Weitere Informationen zur UDP entnehmen Sie bitte der ACCORD-Anfragebeantwortung a-5574 vom 21. August 2007. In der vorliegenden Anfragebeantwortung werden nur Quellen berücksichtigt, die seit August 2007 veröffentlicht wurden.
Das US Department of State (USDOS) berichtet in der Einleitung zum Menschenrechtsbericht 2007, der im März 2008 erschien, folgendes allgemein zur Opposition:
Der Umgang mit den Menschenrechten durch die Regierung habe sich 2007 nicht verbessert. Es gebe Probleme in vielen Bereichen, obwohl die Verfassung die meisten Menschenrechte garantiere. Es gebe weiterhin willkürliche Verhaftungen. Die Sicherheitskräfte würde unter anderem Mitglieder der Opposition schikanieren und misshandeln und dabei straffrei bleiben:
“The Gambia is a multiparty, democratic republic with a population of 1.5 million. In September 2006 President Alhaji Yahya Jammeh was reelected for a third five-year term in an election considered partially free and fair. President Jammeh's party, the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), continued to dominate after the National Assembly elections held on January 25, which were considered partially free and fair. In March 2006 a coup attempt was uncovered, and approximately 50 suspects were detained, one of whom remained in detention without charge awaiting trial at year's end. The trial of a second suspect began on December 5 and was ongoing at year's end. While civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces, there were some instances where security forces acted independently of government authority.
The government's respect for the human rights of its citizens did not improve during the year. Although the constitution and law provide for protection of most human rights, there were problems in many areas. Prison conditions remained poor. Arbitrary arrests and detentions continued. Security forces harassed and mistreated detainees, prisoners, opposition members, and journalists with impunity. Prisoners were held incommunicado, faced prolonged pretrial detention, and were denied due process. The government restricted freedom of speech and press. […]“ (USDOS, 11. März 2008, Introduction)
Annmerkung: Näher Angaben zu dem vom USDOS erwähnten Putschversuch entnehmen Sie bitte auch den ACCORD-Anfragebeantwortungen a-5629 vom 6. September 2007 und a-5732 vom 30. Oktober 2007.
Im Menschenrechtsbericht 2007 berichtet das USDOS, es gebe keine neuen Entwicklungen bezüglich der fünf verschwundenen Putschverdächtigen. Die Regierung habe auf Vorwürfe, dass sie hingerichtet worden seien, nicht reagiert. (USDOS, 11. März 2008, Section 1.a)
USDOS berichtet weiters von einem UDP-Unterstützer, der Berichten zufolge im September 2006 von Sicherheitskräften verhaftet worden sei und dessen Aufenthaltsort unbekannt sei. Sein Anwalt gehe davon aus, dass er vom Nationalen Geheimdienst (NIA) festgehalten werde, obwohl Gerichte im Oktober und Dezember 2006 seine Freilassung befohlen hätten:
“On June 7, the defense lawyer in the case of United Democratic Party (UDP) supporter Kanyiba Kanyi filed a writ of habeas corpus at the high court in Banjul ordering the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and police to release Kanyi. In September 2006 security forces reportedly arrested Kanyi and in October and December 2006 the courts ordered his release. The lawyer maintained that Kanyi was being held by the NIA, but his whereabouts remained unknown at year's end.“ (USDOS, 11. März 2008, Section 1.b)
Eine Beschreibung dieses Falles (sowie der allgemeinen Menschenrechtslage) durch den UDP-Parteisekretär Femi Peters finden Sie in dem in der Quellenliste referenzierten Artikel des Freedom Newspaper vom 18. November 2007.
Im Kapitel zu Folter berichtet USDOS:
“The constitution and law prohibit such practices; however, there were reports that security forces beat and mistreated persons in custody. Throughout the year, defendants, including those held in connection with the March 2006 coup plot, made credible reports of being tortured while in detention. The torture claims included allegations of electrocution, cigarette burns, plastic bags held over people's heads, knife wounds, cold water treatments, and threats of being shot. The government did not respond to these allegations. […]
Unlike in the previous year, there were no claims by opposition members that the government trained vigilante groups, known as "green boys", who were suspected of past human rights offenses.“ (USDOS, 11. März 2008, Section 1.c)
Im Kapitel zu willkürlicher Verhaftung berichtet USDOS:
“The law requires that authorities obtain a warrant before arresting a person; in practice individuals often were arrested without a warrant. Periods of detention generally ranged from a few hours to 72 hours, the legal limit after which detainees must be charged or released; however, there were several instances of detentions surpassing the limit. There was a functioning bail system; however, on occasion, the courts released accused offenders on bail, while the police or other law enforcement agencies rearrested offenders upon their leaving the court. Detainees generally were not promptly informed of charges against them, nor were they allowed prompt access to a lawyer, and if indigent, to one provided by the state. Detainees were not allowed prompt access to family members. However, unlike in the previous year, prisoners were generally permitted to meet privately with their attorneys.
Military decrees enacted prior to the constitution give the NIA and the secretary of state for the interior broad power to detain individuals indefinitely without charge ‘in the interest of national security.’ These detention decrees are inconsistent with the constitution, but they have not been subject to judicial challenge. The government claimed that it no longer enforced the decrees; however, there were several cases during the year of detentions that exceeded the 72-hour limit.” (USDOS, 11. März 2008, Section 1.d)
Laut USDOS hätten die Sicherheitskräfte zahlreiche Personen aus politischen Gründen verhaftet, die Aufenthaltsorte mancher politischer Gefangener seien unbekannt:
“Security forces arbitrarily arrested numerous persons for political reasons and the whereabouts of some political detainees, including a journalist and an opposition supporter detained in 2006, remained unknown at year's end.” (USDOS, 11. März 2008, Section 1.d)
Nach Angaben des USDOS gebe es glaubwürdige Berichte, dass die Regierung Zivilisten wegen ihrer politischen Ansichten oder Verbindungen festhalte, manche davon auf längere Dauer in Einzelhaft. Zudem seien Oppositionsmitglieder, die ihre Kritik oder Ansichten öffentlich äußerten, festgenommen und verhaftet worden:
“During the year there were credible reports that the government held civilians based on their political views or associations and that some were held incommunicado for prolonged periods. The government also arrested and detained opposition members who publicly criticized or who expressed views in disagreement with the government.” (USDOS, 11. März 2008, Section 1.d)
Zu den Parlamentswahlen vom Jänner 2007, die das USDOS als teilweise frei und fair bezeichnet, siehe USDOS-Bericht Section 3:
“On January 25, National Assembly elections were held. The two largest opposition political parties, the UDP and the National Reconciliation Party, continued to run as a separate alliance. The ruling APRC won 42 of the 48 elected seats, and President Jammeh appointed five nominated members, including the speaker. In September 2006 President Jammeh was reelected for a third term, winning approximately 67 percent of the vote. The main opposition political party, the UDP, challenged the election; however, in October 2006, the courts upheld the election results.
Individuals representing political parties or running as independents could freely declare their candidacy if their nomination was approved according to the rules of the Independent Electoral Commission.
International observers declared the presidential and National Assembly elections partially free and fair with shortcomings, noting under‑age voting, voting by non‑nationals, and biased media coverage in favor of President Jammeh. There were reports of security officers demonstrating partisan support while on duty in the days before the January 25 elections. However, observers agreed that both election results represented the will of the people. Opposition parties criticized these irregularities and stated that the APRC did not adhere to the code of conduct in the political memorandum of understanding brokered by The British Commonwealth in 2005.
The government arrested members of the opposition and an opposition candidate during the year. On January 7, Nfamara Bojang, a UDP candidate in the National Assembly election, was reportedly arrested due to a 2005 case involving possession of faked Gambian currency notes amounting to $1.52 (35 dalasi).” (USDOS, 11. März 2008, Section 3)
Für drei Fälle kurzfristiger Festnahmen von UDP-Anhängern (im Fall der von Foroyaa im Jänner beschrieben wird seien auch ein UDP-Kandidat und Familienangehörige festgenommen worden) in zeitlicher Nähe zu den Kommunalwahlen vom 24. Jänner 2008, siehe folgende drei Artikel (im Anhang beigelegt):
Diese Informationen beruhen auf einer zeitlich begrenzten Recherche in öffentlich zugänglichen Dokumenten, die ACCORD derzeit zur Verfügung stehen. Diese Antwort stellt keine Meinung zum Inhalt eines bestimmten Ansuchens um Asyl oder anderen internationalen Schutz dar. Wir empfehlen, die verwendeten Materialien zur Gänze durchzusehen.
Quellen:
