The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights meeting at its 17th Ordinary Session held from 13 to 22 March 1995, Lomé, Togo:
Recalling the condemnation of the 22 July 1994 coup d’Etat in The Gambia by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the international community and the consequence of the military coup d’Etat on the principles of democracy and the rule of law,
Taking note of the continued presence of the military in power in The Gambia, despite calls for an immediate handing over to a civilian government, as expressed in the resolution on The Gambia by the ACHPR during its 16th Ordinary Session held in Banjul in October 1994,
Taking note with great concern that there are allegations of serious violations of Human Rights in the period of military rule:
1. Notes the reduction of the timetable of transition to civilian rule by the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council from 4 to 2 years and therefore recommends strongly that the international Donor Communities lift the economic sanctions imposed on The Gambia;
2. Insists on the need for an independent judiciary and due process of law in The Gambia under all circumstances;
3. Renews its demands on the AFPRC to accelerate the process of transition to constitutional rule and to abolish all decrees that infringe the freedom of The Gambia people individually and collectively, including the freedom of expression, the press, and the right of association and assembly.
4. Calls upon the AFPRC to set up an independent commission of inquiry to investigate all allegations of violation of human rights.
