§ John McDonnellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on(a) the arrest of Gambia's Information Minister, Yankuba Touray, by President Jammeh's 841W forces and (b) the series of arrests of senior governmental officials, civil servants and businessmen in the last seven weeks. [147677]
§ Mr. MullinThe Gambia's Secretary of State for Information. Communication and Technology, Mr. Yankuba Touray, was relieved of his official duties on 16 December 2003. He was not arrested.
A number of other Government officials and businessmen have been arrested in recent weeks, largely in connection with alleged misappropriation or currency irregularities. Those concerned have been arrested, detained, charged or released in accordance with local law. The majority leader of the National Assembly has, separately, been held in custody since 26 December 2003 on matters relating to national security.
We are following these developments closely. We welcome the Gambian Government's determination to tackle corruption. We are encouraging them to continue to ensure full respect for human rights and the rule of law.