Dakar, Senegal - The Gambia Press Union (GPU), an umbrella body for journalists in the Gambia, Sunday called for the release of detained journalist, Alagie Jobe, while expressing serious concern over his fate.
According to a GPU statement, Mr. Jobe, the deputy editor of Daily Observer newspaper, has been picked up and detained at Gambia's National Intelligence Agency (NIA) headquarters in Banjul, the capital city, by authorities since 8 February.
No specific reason has been advanced for the journalist's arrest and continuous detention.
“We submit that his protracted detention is not in line with section 19 (3) (b) of The Gambian constitution,' the union stated.
Quoting the constitution, the statement added: “Any person who is arrested or detained upon reasonable suspicion of his or her having committed, or being about to commit, a criminal offence under the Laws of The Gambia, and who is not released, shall be brought without undue delay before a court and, in any event, within 72 hours.”
The GPU further observed that the fundamental human rights and freedoms contained in the Gambian constitution should be upheld and respected by all government organs.
It therefore urged the authorities to comply with constitutional provisions by releasing journalist Alagie Jobe.
Pana 04/03/2013