The new government committed to reforming several repressive laws and reforming the security forces. Steps were taken to begin a transitional justice process.

During his annual meeting with the Banjul Muslim Elders for Koriteh at the State House on 2 May 2022, President Adama Barrow accused human rights defender Madi Jobarteh of being a “troublemaker” who wants to bring violence into the country. It is believed that this assertion was made in relation to...

Mamadou Sajo Jallow, an ex-deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs has been held incommunicado for more than two months at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) without access to his family or a lawyer. He remains in detention despite a court granting him bail.

Gambian radio director Alagie Abdoulie Ceesay has been detained since August 2015 charged with sedition and the publication of false news. He has been in detention at Mile 2 prison for over six months and was recently diagnosed with an enlarged liver.

Alagie Abdoulaye Ceesay, the managing director of the independent Gambian radio station Teranga FM, was rearrested on 17 July by members of the Gambian security forces after being abducted and released earlier on in the month. He has since been held incommunicado without access to his family or a...

Alagie Abdoulaye Ceesay, managing director of the Gambian Radio Station Teranga FM, has been released on 13 July.

The managing director the Gambian Radio Station Teranga FM, Alagie Abdoulaye Ceesay, was taken on 2 July by two men and since then his whereabouts are unknown.

Gambian human rights defender Sait Matty Jaw is facing trial on 23 December, along with researchers Seth Yaw Kandeh and Olufemi Erinle Titus, from Ghana and Nigeria respectively, over work done for a survey. They face up to two years’ imprisonment if convicted.

A law introducing possible life sentences for the offence of “aggravated homosexuality” was enacted on 9 October in Gambia. In the last two weeks, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Presidential Guards have arrested at least four men, a 17-year-old boy and three women on suspicion of...

On 10 November, Gambian journalists Musa Sheriff and Sainey M.K. Marenah were acquitted and discharged on the two counts of “publication of false news with intent to cause fear and alarm to the public” and “conspiracy to commit felony”. They had been on trial for more than 10 months.

Gambian journalists Musa Sheriff and Sainey M.K. Marenah will have their case decided by a magistrate on 3 November. They could be jailed for up to two years for the legitimate exercise of their right to freedom of expression. They would be prisoners of conscience.

The Gambian President is currently reviewing a proposed amendment to the Criminal Code which will further discriminate against and punish Gambians merely on the basis of their real or perceived sexual orientation.

Journalists Musa Sheriff and Sainey M.K. Marenah continue to face charges. Their charges were amended to “conspiracy to commit a misdemeanour” and “false publication”. They pleaded not guilty. Both journalists have been targeted for their journalistic work and for the legitimate exercise of their...