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Rwanda trial arm-twisting Kenya, claims Kabuga wife

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:54:55 GMT

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

The wife of Rwanda fugitive Felicien Kabuga now claims the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) is blackmailing Kenya.

Source: http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1144000778&cid=4&

Mandela receives Rivonia Trial transcripts

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 09:13:08 GMT

Friday, November 28, 2008

Nelson Mandelas 1960s diary, records of the Rivonia Trial, and other valuables were handed over to the Nelson Mandela estate on Friday. The records, which were acquired by the Oppenheimer family from Percy Yutar, a prosecutor in the 1963/64 trial, were handed over at Mandelas office in Houghton. The diary was one kept by Mandela when he left the country secretly to undergo military training in 1962. Also handed over was a recorded four-hour speech Mandela delivered from the dock of the palace...

Source: http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=894653

Cattle Rustling: Two Remanded

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 03:42:48 GMT

Friday, November 28, 2008

The Brikama Magistrates court on Monday November 27th 2008 remanded Alieu Kanteh and Ansumana Jallow in custody pending trial on an allegation of cattle rustling.

The particulars of the offence are that on or about the 17th November 2008, the two accused persons at Siffoe village in the Western Region of the Gambia stole cattle of one Momodou Jawara.

The accused persons denied the charges.

The case was adjourned to 26th November 2008.

Author: Abdoulie Nyokeh

KAZAKHSTAN: HIV trial spotlights fight against AIDS

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 14:49:25 GMT

Saturday, November 22, 2008

SHYMKENT Tuesday, March 06, 2007 (IRIN) - As the trial continues in Kazakhstan of former health sector staff accused of infecting scores of toddlers with HIV, there are signs that the government is tackling the fight against HIV/AIDS with renewed vigour. Its challenges include rooting out corruption in the healthcare system and combating the stigma against people living with HIV in this Central Asian state. The crisis that saw 94 children infected with HIV during medical treatment in the...

Source: http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=70532

Trial of Expelled NAM, Ex-Soldier Continues

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 03:46:47 GMT

Friday, November 21, 2008

The criminal trial of Dawda Manneh, former National Assembly Member for Nianja, and Demba Baldeh, an ex-soldier, continued yesterday at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court before Principal Magistrate Edrissa Mbai.

Continuing his testimony, PW2 Pa Modou Jarra told the court that he obtained statements from the 2ndaccused Mr Baldeh, which were later tendered in court as exhibits.

Under cross-examination by the defence Counsel Amie Joof-Conteh, PW2 told the court that he obtained two cautionary and two voluntary statements fromDemba Baldeh.

He added that the statement dated 9thOctober 2008 was written by the accused. In that statement, he denied the charge. He said though he cautioned the accused but he did not know what was contained in the statement, as it was written by the accused himself.

As to whether it was a practise to collect the statement without reading it, he replied in the negative. He said the accused admitted the charge on the statement he made on 15thSeptember 2008. He denied that Mr Baldeh was asked to change his plea to implicate Mr Manneh.

Under further cross -examination, PW2 told the court that the bag containing the suspected cannabis was handed over to him at the Charge Office. He added that the bag belonged to the accused, but he maintained that the bag was not labelled. He however said that Mr Baldeh confessed to being the owner of the suspected cannabis when he made his statement on 15thSeptember 2008.

He insisted that he was not out to implicate Mr Manneh as alleged by the lawyer. According to him, it was Mr Baldeh himself who said so in his statement.

The case was adjourned until 27thNovember 2008.

Author: Modou Sanyang

Source: Picture:Dawda Bah

ICC postpones Lubanga's case to January

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:26:52 GMT

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

International criminal court has today extended Congolese war crimes suspect, Thomas Lubanga stay behind bars until 26 January when his trial will commence in the Hague.Mr Lubanga, founder and leader of Union of Congolese Patriots (UCP), was arrested in 2006 accused of recruiting and using child soldiers in Congo Kinshasa (DRC) during the country's bloody five-year civil war, which ended in 2003.

Source: http://www.afrol.com/articles/31724

Human Rights Are Inalienable

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:30:13 GMT

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Amnesty International has just released its damning report on the human rights situation in The Gambia. In the report, the human rights watch body urges the Gambian government to improve on its human rights record, ranging from long-term detention without trial, alleged ill treatment of detainees to unhygienic detention centres. Complying with the Amnesty International report will boost our image in the international community.

Long before the Amnesty International report, we had been campaigning for respect for human rights in the country. We believe that respect for human rights is essential for a successful democracy. Where journalists are detained or made to disappear without a trace, there is a gross violation of human rights. It is tempting to disregard the report as the ranting of some disgruntled elements “full of sound and fury but signifying nothing”. Ignoring the report smacks of naivety; it is like playing the ostrich. Donors consider such reports in their dealings with beneficiary countries. It is unlikely that countries with poor human rights records will attract support from donor countries.

Since it is possible that our poor human rights record could discourage donors from lending a helping hand to us in times of need, the authorities should do their best to comply with the Amnesty International report.

Although the report did not specifically mention it, we nonetheless call on the government to repeal the two draconian press laws – the Criminal (Amendment) Code 2004 and the Newspaper Registration Act 2004. We hold that both laws get in the way of our work as journalists. They should also do all that they can to get Chief Ebrima Manneh for us.

It is clear from the report that the world is increasingly becoming intolerant of governments that abuse human rights. It is also clear that the world wants to see the independence of the judiciary respected. We must move along with the mores of the time. The twelfth point of the Amnesty International recommendations is very important. It says: “Fully co-operate with the UN-ECOWAS joint investigation into the killing of 50 migrants, including 44 Ghanaians, to ensure that investigations can be carried out promptly and without interference to ensure that suspected perpetrators are brought to justice.”

We would also like to add that investigations into the murder of Deyda Hydara should be carried out to their logical conclusions. In respect of the Deyda Hydara murder, we are not calling for vengeance; we are simply calling for justice.

The earlier the authorities act on the Amnesty International report, the better for the people and government of The Gambia. We need all the financial support that we can get in this period of recession. It is important that the authorities issue a statement in response to the allegations in the Amnesty International report in order to clear the air.

“Man is a wolf to man.”

Titus Maccius Plautus

Trial of Former Senior Government Officials Continues

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:54:24 GMT

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Wednesday, November 19, 2008

The trial of Bai Ousman Secka and Muhammed Batata Juwara continued yesterday at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Lamin George.

During yesterday’s proceedings, Lawyer Borry Touray told the court that he had gone through the case file but he had no intention to cross-examine the state witness.

It will be recalled that the two former senior government officials at the Department of State for Foreign Affairs are standing trial on charges of conspiracy to commit a felony, making false documents, Uttering false documents and abuse of office. Both vehemently denied the charges.

The case was adjourned to 22ndDecember 2008.

Author: Modou Sanyang

Source: Pictures: Bai Ousman Secka (1) and Batata Juwara (2)

Oley Sey Criminal Case Suffers Setback, As Magistrate is indisposed

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:40:56 GMT

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

The criminal trial involving Oley Sey former nominated Member of the National Assembly and Abdou Rahman Bah co-ordinator of Sulayman Junkung Jammeh Memorial Nursery in Abuko was yesterday deferred until 19th November 2008.

The case that was scheduled yesterday for the continuation of the defence testimony of the 2nd accused Abdou Rahman Bah could not proceed as the Presiding Magistrate Lamin George was reported to be indisposed.

It could be recalled that the two accused persons are standing trial at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court on charges of theft and conspiracy to commit a felony. They were alleged to have conspired and stolen the sum of D500, 000 meant for the SulaymanJamesJunkungJammehMemorialNursery School in Abuko. The money was a donation from the President of the Republic.

Author: Modou Sanyang

Source: Tuesday 18th November 2008 Issue Picture: Oley Sey

Principal’s Case Adjourned Again

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:53:11 GMT

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Almameh Dukureh the principal of BundungSchool at Yundum Western Region, was standing trial on Tuesday 11 November on indecent practices with his students. The case resumed before Magistrate Kayode of the Brikama Magistrates’ court.

The case could not proceed because the Accused’s counsel, Mr Borry Touray, had another matter before the high court.

He appealed to the court to adjourn the matter for two weeks.

The case was adjourned to 24th November 2008, for continuation.

It could be recalled that the accused Almameh Dukureh was alleged earlier this year at the said Boarding school at Yundum being in a public place engaged in indecent practice with his students.He had pleaded not guilty.

Author: Yai Dibba