USE OF EXCESSIVE FORCE AGAINST PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATORS IN THE GAMBIA

That this House condemns the use of excessive force by the Gambian security forces on citizens demonstrating peacefully in the city of Banjul on 14 April 2016, leading to the deaths of three political activists from the opposition party, the United Democratic Party; calls for a full and independent investigation into their deaths, two of which occurred after being arrested; expresses deep concern at the continuing incarceration of members of the United Democratic Party, including party leader Mr Ousainou Darboe; supports calls from the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for their immediate and unconditional release; and further calls on the government of The Gambia to uphold its international obligations under the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, including the right to a peaceful assembly.