afrol News, 12 October - Gambian authorities have unconditionally release the two Amnesty International (AI) officials arrested and detained in The Gambia, alongside a local journalist.

No charges have been brought against the two AI officials [Tania Barnath and Ayodele Ameen] and Yahya Dampha of Foroyaa newspaper.

"The fact that these people were detained solely for their human rights work is deplorable," said Erwin van der Borght, Director of Amnesty International's Africa Programme. "While we welcome the releases, all restrictions on the work of human rights activists in The Gambia must be lifted immediately."

Tania Bernath and Ayodele Ameen boarded a flight in Banjul at 16.00 GMT and are expected to arrive in London tomorrow morning.

Amnesty International remains concerned for the security of Yaya Dampah, the local journalist detained with the two Amnesty International delegates, who remains in The Gambia.

The human rights body called on the government to ensure that Dampha is not targeted for his association with Amnesty International.

The two Amnesty International delegates had been in The Gambia since 2 October, when they arrived to conduct research into human rights violations in the country, including arbitrary and unlawful detentions, attacks on freedom of the press, and torture in custody.

They also held a workshop for local human rights defenders and journalists in Banjul. The authorities had been informed about the Amnesty International mission.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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