Tuesday, August 12, 2014

After DC Photo Op, Gambia Attacked Journalist, Now Cancels UN Human Rights Special Rapporteurs' Visits


By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, August 12 -- While in Washington for last week's Africa Summit, the Gambian delegation attacked a journalist, then refused to waive immunity and left the US, quick.

Some wondered even then at some African leaders being blocked but Yahya Jammeh of Gambia being there, photo ops at all.

Now Gambia has blocked entry by two UN human rights experts, the Special Rapporteurs on torture, Juan E. Méndez, and summary, extrajudicial and arbitrary executions, Mr. Christof Heyns.

They say that “in a letter dated 6 August 2014, the Government of The Gambia informed the UN independent experts that the visit is no longer suitable due to an 'unexpected commitment.' The Special Rapporteurs have reached out to the Government for an explanation but have received none to date.”
Speaking of dates, is there any link between the date of the DC beat-down and this letter canceling the UN's human rights visits?
And what repercussions have there been for Joseph Kabila's entourage's attack on critics in Washington? We'll have more on this.