GAMBAN MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT

2153 Valentine Ave, Bronx, NY 10457

Email: modegam2006@yahoo.com

Phone: 347-444-6056. Fax: 347-271.9117

August 23, 2010

Senator Richard J. Durbin

309 Hart Senate Building

Washington DC 20510

Dear Senator Durbin:

Gambians based in the United States under the Umbrella of the Movement for Democracy and Development (MDD) is here by writing to thank you and your Senate colleagues namely; Senator Russ Feingold, Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. Casey, Senator Joe Lieberman, Senator Benjamin L. Cardin and Senator Patty Murray for voicing your concerned about the deepening human rights abuses in The Gambia, particularly the case of Journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh who was arrested and detained since July 2006 for political reasons is still kept incommunicado.

Senator, Gambians are equally concerned about the deepening political and human rights abuses, widespread torture, as well as great number of alleged extrajudicial killings of detainees by both the presidential guards and some agents of the National intelligence Agency (NIA).

Today it is clear to every Gambian that president Yahya Jammeh has no respect for the country’s constitution which guarantees freedom of assembly and expression, right to information and privacy protections afforded by the Gambian constitution against arbitrary arrest and imprisonment of individuals without trial.

Senator, The Gambia situation is a serious one and should be considered a challenge for President Obama’s administration which is regarded as a champion for human rights worldwide. We am saying this is a challenge for President Obama because Dictator Yahya Jammeh has repeatedly said that he will imprison opposition political figures like Femi peters who is a believer of democracy and the rule of law for intimidation purposes. President Jammeh’s actions are detrimental not only to the Gambian people, but also to President Obama efforts to increase freedom across the globe.

Finally, once again we say thank you and Senate colleagues and look forward to your good efforts to secure the release of political prisoners including Journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh.

Sincerely,

Signed:

Saihou Mballow

Chairperson

DEMOCRACY|DEVELOPMENT|JUSTICE