Founded in 1996 (Europa 1999 1999, 1498; Political Handbook of the World 1998, 340), the United Democratic Party (UDP) is, with seven of ten opposition seats in parliament captured during the January 1997 multiparty legislative elections, the main political opposition party in the Gambia (AFP 20 May 1998; Europa 1999 1999, 1490; Africa Research Bulletin Jan. 1997, 12532).

During the September 1996 presidential election, UDP leader Ousainu Darboe placed second with 35.34 per cent of total votes cast (Africa Research Bulletin 24 Oct. 1996, 12399; Keesing's Sept. 1996, 41258; Political Handbook of the World 1998, 340).

In a 9 December 1996 communiqué, Amnesty International stated that four days before the September presidential election "more than one hundred UDP supporters were subjected to a systematic assault [by armed soldiers]." The communiqué added that "33 people were seriously injured, some had to be admitted to hospital, dozens of people were arrested and detained without charge just before the presidential elections."

Various sources state that in May 1998, 10 persons, including UDP members, were arrested around Brikama and detained, accused of demolishing a mosque (AFP 20 May 1998; AI 1999, 169; Country Reports 1998, 1999). One of the detainees and member of the UDP (AFP 20 May 1998), Lamina Waa Juwara, had reportedly been tortured in custody (AI 1999, 169). Ousainu Darboe, the UDP chairman, was also held for several hours in May 1998 (AI 1999, 169; Country Reports 1998, 1999). It is stated in a 15 July 1997 AI Urgent Action that "the Gambia security forces have tortured prisoners on several occasions, the last time at the beginning of June 1997 when seven leading members of the opposition party UDP were arrested."

According to a 17 August 1999 Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) report, the imprisonment of Shylngle Nyassi, a youth leader of the UDP, is proof of a hardening attitude of Gambian President Yahyah Jammeh towards the opposition in advance of the September 2001 presidential election.

Please refer to 1999 and 1998 Country Reports and Amnesty International Annual Reports for same cases of arrests, detention or torture of UDP officials and supporters by Gambian authorities.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Africa Research Bulletin [London]. January 1997. Vol. 23 N0 1. "Gambia: Jammeh's Victory."

_____. September 1996. Vol. 23, No 4. "The Gambia: Jammeh Elected."

Agence France Presse (AFP). 20 May 1998. "Gambia Opposition Leader Arrested After Mosque Trouble." (NEXIS)

Amnesty International. 1999. Amnesty International Report 1999. New York: Amnesty International.

_____. 15 July 1997. Urgent Action: Death Penalty. (AI Index: AFR 27/01/97). London: Amnesty International.

_____. 19 December 1996. "The Gambia: The Government Must Protect Human Rights During the Forthcoming Parliamentary Elections." (AI Index: AFR 27/11/96). London: Amnesty International.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1998. 1999. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). 17 August 1999. "The Gambia Politics: Outllook for 1999-2000." (NEXIS).

The Europa World Year Book 1999. 1999. Vol. 1. London: Europa Publications Ltd.

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. September 1996. Vol. 42 No. 9. "The Gambia: Presidential Elections."

Political Handbook of the World: 1998. 1998. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications.