Following today's adoption by the European Parliament of a resolution regarding the situation in the Gambia, S&D MEP David Martin stated:

"The European Parliament sent a strong signal to the Gambian government today that human rights are not negotiable when you deal with the EU. An overwhelming majority of MEPs called on Gambia to end its policies of arbitrary detention and torture of civilians. We want to see a free media, a fair judicial system, and freedom of speech, assembly and sexuality in the Gambia.

"Recent government crackdowns on opposition activists adds to a long history of human rights abuses by this brutal regime, and urgent action is required to prevent the situation from deteriorating in the run-up to the December presidential elections.

"Despite efforts by the European Union over the last two years to engage with Jammeh's administration on human rights, little progress has been made and I welcome the resolution's call for consultations under article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement. The Gambian Government must be held to account."