86/93 M. S. Ceesay / Gambia (The)
The Facts
1. The Complainant was a Corporal in the Gambia National Army and was on 14th June 1991 according to
the Complainant randomly selected as one of seven men to see the Commander in order to discuss
problems of the Contingent. When the seven men had gathered they were immediately surrounded by
armed personnel who attempted to arrest them. They managed to flee to the State House but were
arrested, subsequently suspended and discharged allegedly because of state mutiny but without charge or
trial.
2. According to the Attorney General, Mr Ceesay and others were marching in the streets protesting
because of lack of payment. The protesters were disrupting the peace and were charged with mutiny. A
Commission of Enquiry was set up to decide on the cases and the mutineers were eventually dismissed,
the most inferior sanction available against mutiny.
Complaint
3. The Complainant asks the Commission to order reinstatement or to compel the Gambian authorities to
issue the Complainant with a certificate of discharge.
Decision
4. The Government notified the Commission that the Complainant had not had recourse to the local
remedies. At its 16th Session the Commission declared the communication inadmissible.
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