The US government says it is deeply concerned by the imprisonment of Femi Peters, campaign manager for the opposition United Democratic Party, UDP. The statement was contained in press release on Thursday.

The United States Government is deeply concerned by the recent conviction and sentencing of the opposition leader, Femi Peters of the United Democratic Party, after being accused of holding a rally without permission and being in possession of loudspeakers in a public place without permission. 

The release says the United States respects the right of governments to approve or disapprove the public requests to assemble.  "We also believe such a process must respect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and should not be used as a tool to impede lawful political opposition".

"Mr. Peters’ sentence of one year in prison is extremely harsh and could be contrary to The Gambia’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights", The US says.

"As current chair of the African Union’s Human Rights Commission, the Government of The Gambia should act in accordance with its responsibility as a standard bearer on matters of political freedom and civil liberties as well as its international obligations and reconsider this unfortunate decision", the concluded.

Femi Peters' party, the United Democratic Party, held a political rally on October 24, 2009 without a police issued permit, which authorities said violated the laws of the land. He was arrested a few hours later and held in custody before he was charged with 'controlling a procession and using a loud speaker'.

Peters' defense attorney, who is also the party leader of the UDP, Ousainou Darboe, said the charges were unconstitutional, and has already filed an injunction with the High Court to halt or dismiss the trial. The High Court has not taken any decision yet.

On Thursday a Nigerian hired magistrate, Keyode, convicted Peters on both counts and sentenced him to pay a fine of D10,000 and serve one year in prison. Both sentences carry the maximum terms under the Gambian law.

Judgment on this case was initially set for the 19^th March 2009 after the accused told the court that, “In the absence of my lawyer, I would like the case to rest”. The defense counsel of the convict Lawyer Ousainou Darboe also applied to address the Court on certain matters before judgment would be delivered. The principal magistrate Keyode also granted the application, and asked the parties to resume on the 26^th March 2010 to address the court.

Mr. Peters first appeared in the Banjul magistrate court before magistrate E. Nkea on the 26^th October 2009. Peters' lawyer challenged the jurisdiction of the court and its power to hear the case. The case was later transferred to the Kanifing Magistrate Court. At the Kanifing Court, magistrate Joseph Ikpala heard evidences from four prosecution witnesses, all of whom were senior police officers.

The defense made a no case to answer submission - it was dismissed and the accused was asked to open his case.

Magistrate Keyode said Peters violated the Public Order Act of 1961 as amended by the Public Order Act of 2009.