Omar Jallow, interim leader of Jawara's Peoples Progressive...

Omar Jallow, interim leader of Jawara's Peoples Progressive Party of Gambia, said in an interview, whilst on tour in the US, that since the new Constitution came into force in 1996 it had been amended 28 times at the expenses of human rights. "In addition," Jallow added, "they (the government headed by President Jammeh) further amended the Criminal Code to make sure that anyone charged with an offence that carries life imprisonment or the death penalty cannot be granted bail. Before this amendment, the decision to grant or deny bail rested entirely with the judges of the higher courts. Fort instance, if I go back to Gambia now and I am arrested and accused of any crime carrying the death penalty or life imprisonment, I cannot be granted bail and can remain in jail for up to ten years while the case drags on, depending on the whims of the prosecution which is directly controlled by the executive."