Forward of the trial of Ousman Sonko, former Inside Minister of Gambia, earlier than the Federal Felony Court docket in Bellinzona, Switzerland, for crimes towards humanity allegedly dedicated between 2000 and 2016 below former President Yahya Jammeh, Michèle Eken, Amnesty Worldwide’s researcher at Amnesty Worldwide’s West and Central Africa workplace, mentioned:
“Sonko served as Inside Minister for Gambia at a time when atrocious crimes, together with torture, extrajudicial killings, and sexual violence have been dedicated. Survivors and kin of victims who suffered brutal crimes below Jammeh’s regime are preventing for accountability. Sonko should face justice.
“Common jurisdiction is an important instrument for preventing impunity. States ought to prosecute or extradite perpetrators of crimes below worldwide regulation — they need to have nowhere to cover. Amnesty Worldwide welcomes Switzerland’s efforts in prosecuting Sonko and encourages the Federal Felony Court docket to strengthen the flexibility of victims to comply with the proceedings and, the place related, take part within the trial.
“The Gambian authorities should additionally velocity up the method of investigating and prosecuting these recognized as potential perpetrators of human rights violations by the Reality, Reconciliation and Reparations Fee (TRRC). Victims and their kin have a proper to justice, reality, and reparations.”
Background
Ousman Sonko was Gambia’s Inside Minister from 2006 to 2016. On 26 January 2017, he was arrested in Switzerland below the precept of common jurisdiction and stands accused of committing crimes towards humanity. The primary day of trial is on 8 January 2023.
In November 2021, the TRRC issued suggestions to the Gambian authorities, such because the prosecution of 70 officers, together with Sonko. In Could 2023, the federal government revealed an implementation plan, which incorporates the creation of a hybrid courtroom.
Sonko fled the nation in 2016, shortly earlier than former President Jammeh misplaced energy. He was arrested after non-governmental organisations offered proof of his alleged involvement in killings, rape and torture.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty Worldwide.
