The Office of the UN Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Tuesday deplored the death in custody of Ebrima Solo Krummah, a member of Gambia’s opposition party, United Democratic Party (UDP), last Saturday.
Mr. Krummah was among 30 members of the UDP who were imprisoned, in April, following protests against the death of Solo Sandeng, the Chairman of UDP’s youth wing.
Mr. Sandeng had also died while in custody.
UN human rights spokesperson, Ms. Cecile Pouilly said that according to reports, Mr. Krummah passed away after he was taken to a hospital for a surgical operation.
She noted that, Mr. Krummah was allegedly denied medical help on several occasions while in detention, adding that, there are reports that other detainees have also been denied medical care in recent months.
“We urge the authorities to investigate the death in State custody of Mr. Sandeng and Mr. Krummah,” said Ms. Pouilly, and urged the Gambian government to also investigate allegations that detainees are denied access to medical care.
The UN human rights office had earlier expressed concerns over the imprisonment and that there had been no proper investigation into allegations of excessive use of force in the context of the demonstrations.
On 20 July, the Banjul High Court convicted 19 members of the UDP for unlawful assembly, rioting, incitement to violence, “riotously interfering with vehicles”, holding a procession without a permit, disobeying an order to disperse from an unlawful procession and conspiracy.
On 21 July, the Mansakonko High Court convicted another 11 UDP members for the same offences.
All those convicted were arrested either on 14 April during a protest for electoral reforms or on 16 April during a demonstration held after the arrest and alleged death in State custody of UDP Secretary Solo Sandeng two days earlier.
