GAMTEL Suffers Fibre Cable Cuts Around Brufut

GAMTEL is still being affected by concurrent fibre cable cuts which courses serious interruptions of service delivery. This time around the fibre cable cuts happened back to back within weeks between the Gamtel Brufut junction going into Brufut Ghana town. A very disruptive and costly damage caused by a NAWEC water subcontractor call DOKU.

A n A - 2 x 48 core cable tubes that connects multitude of customers completelly was mutilated thereby rendered off service to many customers in an around the country. Seeing the cables, the pipes, and several pieces of materials damaged, and left abandoned by the NAWEC contracted workers was eye soaring.

Speaking to our reporter the managing director of GAMTEL Lamin A Tunkara said “ this had happened before and we restored, and we are reliving the same experiences again. The proof is in the optics. Our customers are seriously affected. More especially customers like our GSM operators, including Netpage, QCell, and their customers”

Managing director Tunkara continues “if you are guessing how deep the trenches are, or asking how do we protect these network cables, please take note of what we share here in the photos attached. At a minimum, we dig down to a meter. Cables are laid, backfilled, and at half way from the bottom of the pit, a very a very visible WARNING NET is placed on top and inscribed on it is the number 144 call for direction” “ No one would have said that that the trenches are not deep enough, or the cables not placed with protection. We did not only protect our cables but we put WARNING SIGNS ON THEM” Tunkara concluded. He call on the general public to report irregular activities and cable cuts as and when it happened.

Police PPTC Unit Inducts New Members

The Policy, Planning, and Training Coordination Unit of The Gambia Police Force marked a significant milestone on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, by conducting a comprehensive induction training session for four newly redeployed members at the GPF Conference Hall

In a warm address, the head of the Unit, Assistant Commissioner of Police Sambujang Fatty, extended a hearty welcome to the new staff, emphasizing the pivotal role of the Unit as the nerve center of the Gambia Police Force. He underscored the primary objective of the induction, stating, 'Our aim is to familiarize newly deployed officers with the crucial Policies and Procedures essential for effective planning within the Unit.

This induction provides a comprehensive overview of the intricate facets of planning.' ACP Fatty also emphasized the importance of maintaining exceptional teamwork and adherence to the unit's disciplined framework.

Distinguished senior members of the Unit, including Supt Ousman Colley, CIP Mariama Jallow-Gassama, Inspector Malang Keita, and Sainabou Tambedou, delivered insightful presentations covering the unit's mandates, core values, competencies expected from a planning officer, ethical standards, and the code of conduct.

Expressing gratitude and a shared commitment to the upcoming tasks, Superintendent Yaya Manjang, speaking on behalf of the new staff, conveyed sincere thanks for the warm reception and assured their dedication to the responsibilities ahead.

GAMTEL Brought In Cloud Data Center

The Gambia Telecommunication Company GAMTEL have brought in quality affordable and safer way of internet connection for its esteem customers. GAMTEL CLOUD DATA CENTRE is equipped with state-of-the-art security measures and disaster recovery capabilities. This provides a high level of protection that is essential for businesses to flourish and maintain a competitive edge with elevated data security, remote data access, and cost savings. Gamtel Cloud Data Centre also provides services such as DATA STORAGE, MANAGEMENT, BACKUP, RECOVERY ETC.

The management of GAMTEL is calling on its customer to to rush now and subscribe with Gamtel for efficient, and reliable data storage security. For more information contact Gamtel Customer Care Services at 1311, 9967912

Migrants Smugglers Could Face Murder Charges In Court

The Gambia Immigrations Department and its partner sister forces are ready to take on those engaging in trafficking young people in what is known as back way to Euroupe. It would be recalled that recently over 20 young Gambians are said to have lost their lives in their attempt to sail to the to Spain and several other boats carrying Gambian migrants are still missing in the waters. Many villages and towns are mourning their sons and daughtrs who took to the back way Europe through boats loaded in Kartong, Gunjur, Sanyang, Bakau and parts of the Fonis. These youths are traffick by people who are referred to as agents. Many familes paid nearly hundred thousand dalasis to these agents for sons and daughters to travel to Europe by boat. The commissioner of Irregular Migration Management Unit of The Gambia Immigration Department (GID) Foday Gassama said “the GID will be left with no option than to charge migrant smugglers with murder”. Gassama was speaking at the coastal village of Tanjeh, said: “GID will be left with no option than to charge migrant smugglers with murder if any boat should capsize at sea, or attempted murder if the boat hasn’t departed yet.”

“We are now doing everything possible in ensuring that we stop them from embarking on this perilous journey especially in controlling the area where they normally depart,” Gassama said. “But in most of the cases, when we control this area, the smugglers will then divert their operation to other areas. However, the good thing is that we have now detected all those places.” The smugglers, he went on, are the ones benefiting financially and causing the loss of lives to so many young Gambians. Babucarr Janneh, the Commissioner of Operation of the GID, calls on Gambians and non-Gambian to work closely with the GID in stamping out the menace of the back-way journey via the sea.

“Of recent, we were even informed about a possible departure of a migrant boat by a non-Gambian, which led to its interception. We are urging the public to help us with information anytime they suspect a particular movement. This will go a long way in saving lives and property,” he posited. On the interception of boats which happened at the coastal towns, GID deputy PRO Inspector Muhammad Bah said: “The interception took place in Gunjur at around 1 a.m. where 25 intended migrants who were to sail to Canary Islands were intercepted.” Preliminary investigation into the matter, Bah added, revealed that each of the intended migrants paid an amount of Twenty-five thousands dalasis (D25,000). “Among the 25 intended migrants, two of them were non-Gambians - one Ivorian national and one Sierra Leonean national, with three females as part of the 25 intended migrants,” the PRO said. The GID Operation Zero Departure which was launched recently, he added, will be patrolling the coastal areas with the objective of detecting any possible movement of migrants.

National Assembly FPAC Asked IGP To Investigate Some Institutions

The Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) has officially tasked the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to launch an investigation into some key government institutions in the country over mismanagement of Covid-19 funds and other offences. The institutions to be investigated include the Ministry of Health (MoH), the Grant Management Committee (GMC), the Gambia Tourism Board, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), the Kuntaur Area Council, and the Statistical General. It would be recalled that the National Assembly resolved and made recommendations to various governmental institutions on FPAC’s report on the 2019 audited accounts of government, the Auditor General’s report on Covid-19 response, and audited financial statements of public agencies and institutions, cities, municipality and area councils from June 2022 to July 2023. Yesterday, FPAC met with the National Audit Office and the Accountant Generals Office to review response of various institutions to the lawmakers.

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health was tasked to provide missing vouchers of one million six hundred and fifty thousand dalasis to Brikama national audit and FPAC. Mr Serign Mass Jallow, of the National Audit Office, disclosed that the payment vouchers provided were photocopied and the attachment list of the relevant beneficiaries was not attached to the payment vouchers. “In addition, the payment review was raised by the AG department in respect of the transfer of funds to Brikama sub-treasury. However, the issue raised by the Brikama sub-treasury and supporting document of the onward payment of the allowances to relevant beneficiaries were not presented,” he said. The chairperson of FPAC committee, Hon Alagie S. Darboe, said the MoH had “failed to provide” the said missing vouchers, hence it should be forwarded to the IGP for investigation. The GMC was tasked to provide evidence of disbursement of three hundred and eighty-five thousand one hundred and fifty-nine dalasis to media houses. Mr Jallow revealed that they reviewed the evidences and noted five hundred and eighty-five thousand one hundred and fifty-nine dalasis was disbursed by the Gambia Press Union (GPU) to media houses. However, he added that the audit team could not confirm whether the funds were utilised by media houses as prescribed in the agreement. “There was no evidence to suggest that funds were accounted for and bank statement were not presented by beneficiary media houses; only DHK has provided its bank statement, as a result the issue remains unresolved.” The committee referred it to the IGP. Mr Mass Jallow further noted the evidence presented by NDMA “varies” between the amounts that were recorded in the cover letter. Due to this issue; “we were unable to rely on it. No evidence in relation to this difference was included in the evidence provide,” he stated. “The Payment Voucher PLP 180885, dated 29th October 2020, amounting to three million five hundred thousand dalasis relating to disaster victims was presented for their review but does not relate to Covid-19 response Shortage of delivery oil by the international commodity insurance: “In our review on the evidence presented by NDMA through the National Assembly, we noted that it was the same information that was provided to us during the audit,” he said. On evidence of delivery, he stated, the balance of fifty-three thousand seven hundred and ninety-one drums of ten-liter oil worth thirty-seven million six hundred and fifty-three thousand seven hundred dalasis was not presented. The only delivery note included in the submission was for the sixteen thousand two hundred and nine drums of ten-liter oil, he added. On the certificate of confiscation, he said the confiscation certificate was presented during the audit, thus the disposal report or certificate was not provided. Based on the evidence provided for review they noted the following issue: “The LRR confiscated report for 28 bags of rice was reproduced, not all confiscated food items were supported with a destruction certificate. Based on the issues noted, we can’t rely on the destruction report presented after the audit.” The rest of the institutions also failed to provide information they were tasked to provide thus, the FPAC decided to refer them to the IGP for investigation. Source Thepoint.gm

Ousainou Told Me He Kill 2 Police Officers

Courtsy of the Voicegambia.com Mama Jabbi a business woman and marabout Tuesday told the Banjul High Court that the first accused Ousainou Bojang had confessed to her of killing two PIU officers with third one admitted hospital. Appearing before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh as third prosecution witness Mama narrated how Bojangconfessed to her in Jululung of the alleged police shooting incident which took place on 12th September 2023 at Sukuta /Jabang Traffic Light. The witness said Ousainou Bojang met her at her compound in Jululung on a Wednesday at 2pm two months ago. Mama explained that Ousainou Bojang left the Gambia and went to Jululung garage where he met the leader of the garage and told him that he needed help because something mistakenly happened and he was directed to her Mama Jabbi’s house. Upon arrival, Mama said Ousainou alighted from the commercial motor cycle, and was quick to say that she was shocked upon seeing the accused Ousainou Bojang. “I then told my friend that this man did something and that was when Ousainou told methat I need your help with an amulet and also fare to go to Zingchoror because I killed two police officers and the other one is admitted at the hospital” she told the court. Jabbi told the court that Ousainou asked for water to perform ablution, and she gave him water and praying mat but he (Ousainou) sat on it and did not pray.

“He then told me help me my life has been destroyed and I asked him his name and address and he told me that his name is Ousainou Bojang and a resident of Brufut, then I took a picture of him and a recorded him. He said to me don’t record me on video and I told him okay I will not’’ she said. Mama further explained that Ousainou asked her to help him “but I told him that I could not help you because killing someone was too extreme.’’ I said to him wait for me then I left and called the Senegalese police and asked if they were aware of the murder that took place in Gambia, they said yes, they were aware of it and they asked me if I have his (Ousainou)’s picture and voice recorded. I responded that I have the picture and the audio with me then they asked me to share with them. Jabbi said she was told by the Senegalese police to sit and wait for them but should not allow Ousainou to know that they were coming to her (Mama’s) house. She added that they were seated when theSenegalese Police Officer came hand curved Ousainou’s hand and put him in a vehicle. “After that I called Musa Camara in the Gambia who works at Gambia Revenue Authority, then I told him that the person who killed the police officers was here with me, Musa Camara told me to wait let him call the police. later after calling the police Musa called me and told me lets meet at Jiboro, upon my arrival at Jiboro, I met with the Gambian Police and Musa Camaraand returned back with them to Jululung” she informed the court. She said upon their arrival at Jululung police station, she went and sat somewhere until when the Gambia police officers and Jululung officers finished talking, adding that the Senegalese Soldiers and the Gambia police officers together with Ousainou took a picture and put him in the Senegalese vehicle and took him to the border and the Gambia police took him from there and they continued to Gambia while she was inMusa Camara’s vehicle.The matter was adjourned to 20th November 2023 at 10am for cross- examination of PW3Mama Jabbi Courtsy of the Voicegambia.com

Baitullah Junior’s Sedition Trial

Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of Banjul High Court on Monday granted an adjournment for the state lawyers to bring the third prosecution witness (pw3) in an alleged sedition trial involving Omar Kujabi. Kujabi who is known as Baitullah Junior, with seditious intend made several WhatsApp audios calling on people to go out onto the streets and march to the State House to unlawfully remove President Adama Barrow. The charges he denied. When the case was called by the clerk yesterday for the hearing of the testimony of the third prosecution witness (pw3), the state’s lead lawyer FatoumataDrammeh told the court that they were unable to secure pw3 and she applied for the court to grant them an adjournment. But defense lawyer Lamin J Darboe, who was not opposed to the State lawyer’s application, made the court quickly adjourned the matter for today (Tuesday), for the hearing of the testimony of the third prosecution witness. It could be recalled that Omar Kujabi sometime in September and October 2022 in Kafuta Village and diverse places in the West Coast Region of the Republic of The Gambia, was alleged to have intimidated and annoyed as well as threatened to assault officers of the Police Intervention Unit (PIU), who were sent to arrest him. He is also accused of causing fear and alarm to the public through his WhatsApp and internet platforms.

Paulo Djabi drug case Set For Judgement

The High Court in Banjul presided over by Justice Achibonga will deliver judgment on the issue of jurisdiction of the drug case involving Paulo Djabi, Nadine Perira, Mamadu Neto Djabi and Secuna Djabi. It would be recalled that on 13 September 2023, the accused persons were arraigned before the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court on charges of narcotics offences, money laundering and related offences contrary to various sections of the Drug Control Act, 2003 and the Anti-money Laundering and Combating of Terrorist Financing Act, 2012. The respondents (the accused) took their plea and pleaded not guilty to all the offences charged. After plea taking, the appellant's Counsel (the State) applied for the respondents to be remanded in prison custody for want of jurisdiction to hear and determine the money laundering offences. However, the appellant's application was opposed by the respondents' counsel on the basis that the Magistrates' Courts have jurisdiction to hear and determine the offences of money laundering and consequently applied for bail on behalf of the respondents. After hearing both submissions of the counsel, the learned Principal Magistrate agreed with the position of the respondents' counsel and admitted the respondents to bail. The appellant was dissatisfied with the decisions of the Magistrates' Court and filed a notice and grounds of appeal and motion seeking for stay of execution of the bail, which was granted as prayed pending the hearing and determination of the appeal. The High Court ordered that the hearing of the appeal be expedited and records of proceedings settled within 14 days. On 1st November 2023, the High Court gave some days to the state counsel to file their brief in response to the record of appeal and within which defence counsel were instructed to file their reply within a few days. Yesterday, Counsel L. Jarjue, who appeared for the state, filed their brief of argument, stating that the subordinate courts lacked jurisdiction to interpret and determine any provision of the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act, 2012, which was one of the offences the accused were charged with. Counsel L. Jarjue further argued that a higher court could interfere as the learned Magistrate had no jurisdiction and wrongly exercised his discretion judicially and judiciously in the case thus urged the court to allow the appeal and set aside the decision of the lower court in its entirety.

Defence lawyer S. Tambadou, filed their brief of appeal arguing that the fact that “the respondents are foreign nationals is not borne out by the record”, adding that “nowhere is it stated in any part of the record that the respondents are foreign nationals”. He argued that the only reason that the appellant opposed bail in the Kanifing Magistrates' Court was that the court lacked jurisdiction to try offences under the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Terrorist Financing Act, which was captured in the ruling of the learned Principal Magistrate. Counsel Tambadou urged the court to resolve the issue in favour of the respondents and held that the learned Principal Magistrate was right to grant bail to the accused. He further urged the court to dismiss the appeal. The presiding Judge, Justice Achibonga, adopted the briefs of both counsel and set 22 November 2023 on judgement on the issue by the lower court.

Immigrations Dept Ready to Tackle Backway Journey

The Gambia Immigration Department (GID) has vowed to end irregular migration before the end of the year as they launched ‘Operation Zero Departure’ to close down irregular immigration routes in the coastal areas. The operation was unveiled on Thursday, 9 November following the recent high seas tragedies involving many Gambian youth. ‘Operation Zero Departure’ is a nationwide operation that aims to prevent boats from leaving the Gambia. Commissioner Sulayman Kujabi said the primary target of the operation and the patrol is the human smugglers widely regarded as the ‘agents’. Commissioner Kujabi said the patrol team will conduct a 24-hour patrol, adding that the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) will support them. Kujabi stated that they would be prosecuting the smugglers. He said his office would engage in sensitization of people about the dangers of using the perilous journey to Europe, calling on the fisher folks to stop aiding the people who want to embark on the dangerous journey. Fishermen have been accused of helping in transporting migrants to their main boats that are usually stationed in the high sea. The Immigration Commissioner of Operation, BabucaarxJanneh, said they intercepted twenty-seven boats that aimed to leave the country. ‘Some boats have escaped and that led to loss of lives,’ he said.

Janneh said they have recently prevented one hundred and fifty (150) people from boarding a boat in Kartong. He added that they have also stopped dozens of youths in Sutusinja and Bonto in the West Coast Region from leaving the country. Janneh explained that the migrants use numerous waterways to leave the country. ‘They are leaving through all waterways in the country,’ he said. Commissioner Janneh urged immigration officers to patrol in groups to avoid being attacked by the migrants, adding that some of their officers were attacked by migrants in Bakau and Barra when they attempted to stop them from leaving the country. Janneh lamented that irregular migration is killing many young Gambians. ‘If we don’t stop this, we will lose the next generation of our youth,’ Janneh said. He said they are intensifying their patrols along coastal areas in a view to deter the migrants from using the coast to travel. He underscored that they have received (7) new vehicles for the patrols and the GID is striving to have effective patrols along the water. Janneh unveiled that they have one hundred (100) plain-clothes immigration officers who are gathering intelligence on all irregular migration routes. ‘We are not saying no to migration, but we are saying no to irregular migration. And it has to stop,’ he emphasised.

The Commissioner of the West Coast Region, Mariama Nyang, said the Operation will bring together the GID, the police and the Gambia Navy. She promised the operation would conduct constant patrols because the loss of the recent boat tragedy has ‘hit’ the country hard. She added that they will leave no place for irregular migrants to use because the country is losing a whole generation. She informed the press that the patrols would be informed by the intelligence gathered by their officers. She further added that the operation zero departure will cover all areas in the country, from Kartong to Koina

Barrow Reiterated Gambia’s Support For Palestine

President Adama Barrow has reiterated the Gambia’s support for Palestine as he called for an immediate unconditional ceasefire to prevent more bloodshed. “The Gambia is committed to finding political and economic solutions to creating a just, peaceful, and better world for all. Therefore, we reiterate our support for our Palestinian brothers and sisters and call for an immediate unconditional ceasefire to prevent more bloodshed,” the Gambian leader stressed as he delivered a statement at the 8th OIC Extraordinary Islamic Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “The Palestinian people have been fighting for their rights for over seventy-five (75) years. As we speak, there is a huge loss of life and injuries to many innocent citizens, including women and children in Palestine. The massive destruction of property is unimaginable,” President Barrow bemoaned. “In our view, the best option for a peaceful settlement of this dispute is a Comprehensive Peace Accord based on the “two-state solution”, with Israel and Palestine existing as two independent sovereign states, side by side in peace, justice, and harmony. We re-echo our call to give peace a chance by demonstrating commitment, solidarity, and cooperation,” he underlined. He continued: “We call for an urgent International Peace Conference for a lasting solution to the Palestinian problem. Meanwhile, we appeal to the International Community to compel the occupying force to abide by the tenets of the peace process, International Law, International Humanitarian Law, and UN Security Council Resolutions. Long Live peace, stability, and good neighborliness between Israel and Palestine!” Meanwhile, addressing the Africa-Saudi Summit in Riyadh, President Barrow applauded the efforts made to sustain the “excellent” fraternal ties between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and The Gambia. “Our laudable and mutually beneficial consultative and cooperation initiatives clearly manifest this. Our shared values have cemented our relations as members of many global and regional organizations to uplift human dignity and improve our socio-economic environment. Through such networks, we continue to renew our commitment to the cause of humanity, peace, and stability. In this respect, we thank the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their numerous humanitarian interventions in The Gambia and invaluable contributions to the welfare of our people. In particular, we thank the Kingdom for all the funding we received through the Saudi Fund for Development to host the 15th OIC Summit in The Gambia,” the Gambian leader acknowledged. He gave Saudi Arabia the assurance that The Gambia supports the Kingdom in hosting the 2030 EXPO, expressing joy that the Kingdom has acquired the right to do so. He pointed out that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia equally deserves to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034. “We congratulate them heartily!” he stated. “I must, at this Summit, reiterate our continued solidarity with the Kingdom to confront threats against its sovereignty and security. Also, we support their efforts to normalise relations with their neighbours. As peace-loving countries, The Gambia and Saudi Arabia share a similar vision for global peace,” the President emphasized. He commended the Kingdom for their peace endeavors in Sudan and expressed appreciation for the evacuation to Jeddah of Gambian nationals trapped in Khartoum at the outbreak of the conflict. President Barrow said that The Gambia looks forward to new openings to boost its relationship through Agreements on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Recruitment of Public and Domestic Workers following the Air Transport Services and Bilateral Cooperation signed between the two countries, “In addition, signing a Memorandum of Understanding on Exemption of Visa for Saudi Nationals will further enhance travel and investment opportunities in The Gambia. Like the Kingdom under its “Vision 2030”, The Gambia Government is prioritising such sectors as agriculture, the digital economy, and tourism to achieve the sustainable development goals. Additionally, to attract more domestic and Foreign Direct Investments, we have legal frameworks that guarantee the protection of investments and businesses in The Gambia,” he added. The Gambian leader said hosting the Saudi-Africa and Arab-Africa Summits in Riyadh indicates the commitment to the development aspirations of Africa. “I hope the Summit will build on the foundation already laid between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the continent and will take full advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area initiative. We expect that it will also unlock the potential of millions of people to contribute to the continent’s sustainable economic development goals,” he added. He underscored that The Gambia supports the UN Resolution, calling for the unconditional ceasefire and release of all hostages. “Likewise, we call for an International Peace Conference for Comprehensive Peace to resolve the fight for a Two-State Solution, with Palestinians and Israelis living side-by-side in peace and harmony. Meanwhile, we wish our Palestinian brothers and sisters victory in their quest for Sovereignty and full Independence,” he stated.

Horrifying cases of torture and degrading treatment of Palestinian

Israeli authorities have dramatically increased their use of administrative detention, a form of arbitrary detention, of Palestinians across the occupied West Bank; extended emergency measures that facilitate inhuman and degrading treatment of prisoners; and failed to investigate incidents of torture and death in custody over the past four weeks, Amnesty International said today. Since 7 October, Israeli forces have detained more than 2,200 Palestinian men and women, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club. According to Israeli human rights organization HaMoked between 1 October and 1 November, the total number of Palestinians held in administrative detention, without charge or trial, rose from 1,319 to 2,070. Testimony from released detainees and human rights lawyers, as well as video footage and images illustrate some of the forms of torture and other ill-treatment prisoners have been subjected to by Israeli forces over the past four weeks. These include severe beatings and humiliation of detainees, including by forcing them to keep their heads down, to kneel on the floor during inmate count, and to sing Israeli songs. “Over the last month we have witnessed a significant spike in Israel’s use of administrative detention – detention without charge or trial that can be renewed indefinitely – which was already at a 20-year high before the latest escalation in hostilities on 7 October. Administrative detention is one of the key tools through which Israel has enforced its system of apartheid against Palestinians. Testimonies and video evidence also point to numerous incidents of torture and other ill-treatment by Israeli forces including severe beatings and deliberate humiliation of Palestinians who are detained in dire conditions,” said Heba Morayef, Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

Over the last month we have witnessed a significant spike in Israel’s use of administrative detention – detention without charge or trial that can be renewed indefinitely – which was already at a 20-year high before the latest escalation in hostilities on 7 October. Heba Morayef, Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa “The summary killings and hostage-taking by Hamas and other armed groups on 7 October are war crimes and must be condemned as such, but Israeli authorities must not use these attacks to justify their own unlawful attacks and collective punishment of civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip and the use of torture, arbitrary detention and other violations of the rights of Palestinian prisoners. The prohibition against torture can never be suspended or derogated from, including – and especially – at times like these.” Amnesty International researchers interviewed 12 people, including six released detainees, three relatives of detainees, and three lawyers working on recent arrests. Researchers also reviewed testimonies shared by other released detainees and analysed video footage and images. Torture and humiliation Amnesty International has for decades documented widespread torture by Israeli authorities in places of detention across the West Bank. However, over the past four weeks, videos and images have been shared widely online showing gruesome scenes of Israeli soldiers beating and humiliating Palestinians while detaining them blind-folded, stripped, with their hands tied, in a particularly chilling public display of torture and humiliation of Palestinian detainees. In one image analysed by Amnesty International’s Crisis Evidence Lab, three Palestinian men, blindfolded and stripped of their clothes can be seen beside a soldier, wearing a green olive uniform like those worn by the Israeli ground forces. A Haaretz investigation published on 19 October found that the image was taken in Wadi al-Seeq, a village East of Ramallah, on 12 October. One of the three victims depicted in the photograph told Amnesty International that he had initially been held and beaten by settlers but two hours later an Israeli military jeep arrived: “One of the Israeli officers who came, approached me and kicked me on my left side, then jumped on my head with his two legs pushing my face further into the dirt and then continued kicking me as I was head down, into the dirt, with my hands tied behind my back. He then got a knife and tore all of my clothes off except for my underwear and used part of my torn clothes to blindfold me. The beating to the rest of my body did not stop, at one point he started jumping on my back – three or four times – while yelling ‘die, die you trash’ … in the end before this finally stopped, another officer urinated on my face and body while also yelling at us ‘to die’.” The beating to the rest of my body did not stop, at one point he started jumping on my back – three or four times – while yelling ‘die, die you trash’ … in the end before this finally stopped, another officer urinated on my face and body while also yelling at us ‘to die’. A victim attacked by Israeli settlers and military in East Ramallah Amnesty International also spoke to two women who were arbitrarily detained for 14 hours at a police station in occupied East Jerusalem where they were humiliated, strip-searched, mocked and asked to curse Hamas. They were later released without charges. In a video first published on social media on 31 October and analysed by Amnesty International’s Crisis Evidence Lab, nine detained men, who based on identifiable accents are Palestinian, can be seen, some stripped naked and others half-naked, blindfolded and handcuffed, surrounded by at least 12 soldiers wearing olive green uniforms and equipped with either M4A1 or Tavor X95 assault rifles. Both uniforms and weapons are standard issue equipment of the Israeli ground forces. One of the soldiers is seen kicking one of the detainees in the head. Another video analysed by Amnesty’s Crisis Evidence Lab uploaded to platform X (formerly Twitter) on 31 October shows a blindfolded person, likely Palestinian, along with an Israeli army sergeant mocking the prisoner and dancing around him. A recently released Palestinian detainee from occupied East Jerusalem, who spoke to Amnesty International on condition of anonymity, said how Israeli interrogators subjected him and other detainees at the Russian Compound (al-Maskoubiyeh), a detention center in Jerusalem, to severe beatings which left him with bruises and three broken ribs. He also highlighted how Israeli police interrogators beat them continuously on their heads yelling at them to always keep their heads down, while ordering them to “praise Israel and curse Hamas.” He added: “even when one of the 12 detainees with us in the cell did that, the beating and humiliation did not stop.” Since 7 October, according to the Israeli authorities, four Palestinian detainees have died in Israeli detention facilities in circumstances that have not yet been impartially investigated. Two of the four are workers from the occupied Gaza Strip, held incommunicado by the Israeli army in military detention centres, whose deaths were only made public by the army after an inquiry by Israeli newspaper Haaretz. Under international law, torture and other ill-treatment committed against protected persons in an occupied territory is a war crime. The detention of protected persons outside the occupied territory, as is the case of Palestinian prisoners from the OPT held in Israel, is also a violation of international humanitarian law as it amounts to forcible transfer. Inhuman and degrading treatment in prisons The Israeli Prison Service informed human rights group HaMoked that as of 1 November it is holding 6,809 Palestinian prisoners. On 31 October, the Israeli authorities extended by one month the “state of emergency in prisons” which grants Israel’s National Security Minister virtually unrestrained powers to deny sentenced prisoners access to visits by lawyers and family members; to hold detainees in overcrowded cells; to deny them outdoor exercise and to impose cruel collective punishment measures such as cutting off water and electricity for long hours, effectively allowing for the intensification of cruel and inhuman treatment of detainees, in violation of the prohibition of torture and other ill-treatment. The International Committee for the Red Cross has confirmed that Palestinian prisoners have been denied contact with their families and lawyers since 7 October. Sanaa Salameh, the wife of terminally ill Palestinian prisoner Walid Daqqah, told Amnesty International that since 7 October neither she nor Daqqah’s attorney has been allowed to see him or to receive information about his health condition. “I don’t know if he is receiving the medical care he needs; I have absolutely no contact with him, I don’t even have a scrap of information to comfort me,” she told Amnesty. Palestinian lawyer Hassan Abadi, who has been visiting at least four detainees every week since 7 October, told Amnesty International that Palestinian detainees have been denied their right to outdoor exercise and that one of the forms of humiliation to which they are subjected during inmate count is being forced to kneel on the floor. He added that Palestinians in detention have had all their personal belongings confiscated and at times burned, including books, diaries, letters, clothes, food and other items. Palestinian women prisoners in al-Damon prison have had their sanitary pads confiscated by prison authorities. According to Abadi, a client he is representing told him that when she was detained and blindfolded at Kiryat Arba police station near Hebron an officer threatened her with rape. Spike in arbitrary detention Administrative detention of Palestinians had been on the rise throughout 2023, reaching 1,319 on 1 October 2023, according to HaMoked. As of 1 November, this figure had increased to more than 2,070 Palestinians detained and held in administrative detention. Palestinians classified by Israel as “security inmates” are often held without charge or trial, mostly under administrative detention orders that can be renewed indefinitely every six months. Administrative detention is a form of detention under which individuals are detained by state authorities based on secret security grounds that the defendant and their lawyer cannot review, effectively circumventing due process guaranteed for all persons deprived of their liberty under international law. Amnesty International has found that Israel has systematically used administrative detention as a tool to persecute Palestinians, rather than as an extraordinary and selectively used preventative measure. Israeli authorities have also chosen to implement the “Unlawful Combatants” Law, a category which is not recognised by international law, to indefinitely hold without charge or trial at least 105 Palestinians from the occupied Gaza Strip, who entered Israel during the Hamas led attack on 7 October. It remains unclear how many of those are held in connection with the attacks. Israeli judicial authorities must also impartially and independently investigate complaints of torture and other ill-treatment and prosecute in fair trials those responsible for ordering and carrying out torture. Heba Morayef, Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Israeli authorities have also subjected thousands of Palestinians from Gaza with permits to enter Israel, mostly workers, to a third form of arbitrary detention where they were held incommunicado for at least three weeks on two military detention bases in Israel and the West Bank. Many were released, however, there is no transparency from Israeli authorities around how many are still detained. “Israeli authorities must immediately reverse the inhumane emergency measures imposed on Palestinian prisoners and grant them immediate access to their lawyers and families. All Palestinians arbitrarily detained must be released. We urge Israel to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to conduct urgent visits to prisons and detention facilities and to monitor conditions for Palestinian detainees,” said Heba Morayef. “Israeli judicial authorities must also impartially and independently investigate complaints of torture and other ill-treatment and prosecute in fair trials those responsible for ordering and carrying out torture.

Over 2 Dozens Boats Destined For Europe Intercepted

The deputy Public Relations Officer of The Gambia Immigration Department (GID) has disclosed that ‘so far’ their personnel have intercepted 27 boats at various locations in the country that were about to depart for Canary Islands through irregular means. Inspector Muhammed Bah made this disclosure on Thursday during the launch of their new initiative dubbed ‘Operation Zero Departure’, a campaign meant to discourage and deter migration through clandestine means. From the figure on the number of interceptions made, it appears that more people are attempting to embark on the journey with shifts in departure points using ‘Bolongs’ and small hideouts rivers. This operation comes as the coastal community of Bakau and the nation at large mourn the recent loss of loved ones who perished at high sea while trying to cross the Atlantic Ocean to Canary Islands in Spain. Going further, Bah meanwhile acknowledged the support of their partners both nationally and internationally, notably IOM, EU and The Gambia Red Cross Society, in their fight against irregular migration. “They’ve really made tremendous efforts during our inceptions, although there were some who were able to escape as seen in the last unfortunate incidents, which claimed many lives,” he said. Inspector Bah maintained that they have launched this new operation with the ultimate objective to deter departure or irregular migration from the country. He thus called on all to cooperate with their personnel during the operation as they are responding to a national call to save lives and properties.

Ex-Finance Director Capitalized On Broken System

The former CEO of Basse Area Council (BsAC), OusmanTouray, has agreed that the former BsAC finance director LaminSuso capitalized on a broken system that he found at the BsAC. He made this admission at the Local Government Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday when the commission’s deputy lead counsel Patrick Gomez put it to him that the non-adherence to procurement rules and other rules was a problem at BsAC before the arrival of Suso as finance director. However, the former CEO said the council’s problem was compounded in 2021 after the assumption of the finance director role by Suso. The witness said he could recall a D2M subvention from the government, adding that he[ex-CEO] received D100,000 from the money that he later paid. He said the council’s cashier Ndabah Krubally also received D300,000 from the subvention. He disagreed with the council’s former finance director that he[Suso] spent the D100,000 to pay salaries. “Lamin Suso told us that he had a problem and we gave him the D100,000 as a loan. It was not a refund for any pre-financing,” Touray stated. Touray testified that Suso tried to convince him to withdraw the money that the government subvented the council and share it among themselves. “Lamin Suso told me that when he was working at the BrikamaArea Council, they used to share the subvention,” he added. Touray said Suso used to refer to him as a man who does not want anything and doesn’t want anyone to have something. This, Touray added, was due to his refusal to share the money as suggested by Suso. He told the commission that Suso was given the D100,000 loan from the subvention as he wanted to settle personal liabilities. Still testifying, Touray said the D300,000 given to NdabahKrubally was meant for the settlement of the council’s liability to Supersonics Microfinance. When asked if payment was made to the Supersonics, Tourayreplied that he could not confirm but said he believed the money was paid to the micro-finance institution. Chairperson Jainaba Bah interjected at this point and asked the witness whether due process was followed at the time of giving Suso the D100,000 loan. Touray responded that due process was not followed. The auditors noted that the Basse Area Council was taking loans from different banks without approval from the general council and the Ministry of Regional Government. The former CEO said he used to make the decisions together with the former Chairman (Foday Danjo) and former finance director (LaminSuso). Touray said the loans were used to pay salaries but when asked to provide evidence, he said he could not. When put to him that the loans were illegally obtained, Tourayresponded that the loans were obtained in an emergency as salary payments were already due. He was further asked to corroborate his claim but to no avail. However, the commission’s chairperson referred the witness to the Financial Manual on how to obtain loans in the name of the council, and the witness admitted to wrongdoing. “For me, there was no case of emergency,” counsel Gomez said. “Yes, you are right,” the witness agreed. He said the former director of finance [Lamin Suso] was making unauthorized withdrawals, citing an instance where he withdrew D141,000 from the council’s account at Vista Bank’s Brikamabranch.