The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on the heads of state and governments of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), holding their summit in Abuja, Nigeria, to urge the Gambian government to release seven journalists whose arrests last week on allegations of sedition sparked widespread condemnation by media and human rights organisations.

"We are aware that in many ECOWAS countries great progress has been achieved in the field of freedom of expression with respect to fundamental rights," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President in a letter to President Umaru Musa Yar' Adua of Nigeria and Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS. "Unfortunately, the situation in the Gambia continues to worsen and its record on freedom of expression remains poorly rated by global media monitoring organisations.

According to Gambian Press Union (GPU), an IFJ affiliate, seven Gambian journalists were arrested last Monday by the Gambia National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and are currently remanded in prison.  

The GPU says its General Secretary Emil Touray, Vice President Sarata Jabbi-Dibba,  Treasurer, Pa Modou Faal together with Pap Saine, Publisher, Ebrima Sawaneh, Editor of The Point newspaper, Sam Sarr, Editor and Abubcarr Saidykhan Reporter, at the Foroyaa newspaper were arrested last Monday 15 June and detained incommunicado until Thursday 18 June when they were charged, without the authorities notifying their lawyers.

The IFJ has learned that the journalists have since been charged on three sedition accounts including (i) conspiracy to publish seditious publication contrary to Section 368 of Criminal Code; (ii) publishing seditious publication contrary to Section 51, sub-section 1 A read together with Section 52, sub-section 1C of Criminal Code, regarding Foroyaa, and (iii) publishing seditious publication contrary to Section 51 sub-section 1 A read together with Section 52, sub-section 1C of Criminal Code, regarding The Point.

The IFJ believes that the arrests of the journalists followed the publication of a statement by the GPU regarding comments made on national television by the Gambian Head of State, President Yahia Jammeh, on the death of Gambian journalist Deyda Hydara and the state of press freedom in the Gambia.

"In the case of Deyda Hydara, the IFJ and its affiliates have, for many years, called for genuine efforts on the part of the Gambian government to arrest his murderers and supported the GPU in its campaign and statements," added Boumelha. "We appeal to you to issue a call to the Gambian government to drop the charges against the seven journalists and release them forthwith."

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The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide