Church of Scientology dis-invites activists opposed to dictator of Gambia, Yaya Jammeh

Church of Scientology dis-invites activists opposed to dictator of Gambia, Yaya Jammeh.

Gambia News Online: Scientologically speaking

http://gambianewsonline.com/scientologically-speaking-2/

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The purpose of this blog is not to cast aspersions on a religion that most people know every little about. Our purpose is to raise concern about the regime of Yaya Jammeh’s fray into the unknown, led by a band of inexperienced group of individuals who use Gambian Embassies abroad in the guise of courting foreign investors.

But before we do so, we’d like to say a word or two about the Church of Scientology that has recently co-sponsored a gathering in Washington DC in conjunction with Black History Month. Gambian citizens resident in Washington who were RSVPed to attend but later dis-invited when it was discovered that they belonged to a group of activists opposed to the tyrannical regime of Yaya Jammeh, the dictator who’d recently changed the name of his country to the Islamic Republic of The Gambia.

Scientology was recently ruled a religion in U.K. courts but in some parts of Germany, Scientology is banned. In the U.S., its status is unclear but it has gained a significant foothold among the Hollywood class with many big name stars like Tom Cruise, Issac Hayes and John Trivolta are claimed to be members of the Church of Scientology.

According to the Church’s literature, “Scientology is a religion that offers a precise path to a complete and certain understanding of one’s true spiritual nature…” It also teaches that “man is an immortal spiritual being” whose “experience extends well beyond a single lifetime.”

The Gambia’s 21-year dictatorial rule under one of Africa’s most brutal and corrupt has managed to sullied the image of a once respected democratic enclave in a sea of strong-man rule that prevailed in earlier years. As a result of the horrendous human rights record of Yaya Jammeh, development assistance from the European Union has been frozen and funds held in escrow until certain demands are met – demands relating to the continued tortures, forced exiles, disappearances and false imprisonments of dissidents and opponents, real and perceived.

The regime is essentially financially insolvent and thus schemes are being concocted, on the fly, in desperate attempts at looking for “prospective investors” to invest in a country that is at the bottom of the table of The World Bank’s “Doing Business” in Africa and around the world. In a country where the investment climate is not bad but hostile to foreign investors.

As we speak, there are two arbitration cases pending before the World Bank’s International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and one judgement against the regime involving a mining concession which they’ve asked the ICSID to review. Some of these unsavory characters who pose as government investment promoters have gone to the extent of adopting fictitious royal titles (like Prince Ebrahim) using the Embassy of The Gambia in Washington as cover with the intention of targeting the unsuspecting and gullible investors in the United States. Buyers beware.

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Same article:

Scientologically speaking

http://sidisanneh.blogspot.com/2016/02/scientologically-speaking.html

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Some background:

President Yahya Jammeh: The Worst Dictator You've Never Heard Of
http://www.ozy.com/provocateurs/-pr...the-worst-dictator-youve-never-heard-of/39802

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Gambia now an Islamic republic, says President Yahya Jammeh

http://www.theguardian.com/world/20...-islamic-republic-says-president-yahya-jammeh

EDITED TO ADD:

The link to the U.S. State Department Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2014 for The Gambia is set forth below. Go to the link to read the entire report. I will excerpt only the Executive Summary.

http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2014&dlid=236362

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The Gambia is a multi-party democratic republic. In 2011 voters re-elected President Alhaji Yahya Jammeh to a fourth term in a peaceful, orderly election; however, international observers considered it neither free nor fair. President Jammeh’s party, the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), continued to dominate the political landscape, winning an overwhelming majority of National Assembly seats in the parliamentary elections in 2012 and in the local government elections held in April 2013. Six of the seven opposition parties boycotted or otherwise did not participate in both the national assembly and local government elections to protest government intervention and intimidation of opponents. Authorities at times failed to maintain effective control over the security forces.

A failed coup on December 30 resulted in the arrest of individuals suspected of participating in the coup as well as family members of alleged coup plotters. Security forces reportedly killed three coup plotters during the coup attempt.

The most serious human rights problems in the country included torture, arrest, detention, and sometimes enforced disappearance of citizens, and government harassment and abuse of its critics. Government officials routinely used various methods of intimidation to retain power.

Other reported human rights problems included poor prison conditions; denial of due process; prolonged pretrial and incommunicado detention; restrictions on privacy and freedoms of speech, press, and assembly; government interference in the practice of religion; corruption; violence against women and girls, including female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C); forced child marriage; trafficking in persons, including child prostitution; discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals; and child labor.
While the government took steps to prosecute or punish some individuals who committed abuses, impunity and lack of sustained enforcement remained problems.

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Members of DUGA being kicked out of Scientology Gambia Embassy Event.



DUGA at Gambia Embassy/Scientology Event

Published on Feb 13, 2016

Members of DUGA being kicked out of event

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DUGA = Democratic Union of Gambian Activists

http://dugaglobal.org/site/

DUGA Gambia anti-dictator activists after being expelled from Scientology event.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=505611976308367

More reaction.

https://twitter.com/bceeesay/status/698653800094040064

Scientology dis-invites Gambia anti-dictatorship activists from Black History Month event.

https://twitter.com/FreeGambia101/st...80976809545728

What is the name of the osabot that kicked out the protesters?
I have seen her before.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...19863490915.1073741833.100005787064529&type=3

The scientology corporation cares not a whit about human rights.

What it does is use human rights as a PR tool through its front groups in order to further the company's own ends.

A little research using google will reveal that what the scientology corporation cares about are profits and power. Deception, such as through scientology's front groups, is one of principle means of achieving these.

If the protesters got kicked out it's because the company found it expedient to do so. The protesters should count themselves lucky though, since you really don't want help from scientology. The company never helps anyone unless they have something to gain by it.

EDITED TO ADD:

The link to the U.S. State Department Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2014 for The Gambia is set forth below. Go to the link to read the entire report. I will excerpt only the Executive Summary.

http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2014&dlid=236362

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The Gambia is a multi-party democratic republic. In 2011 voters re-elected President Alhaji Yahya Jammeh to a fourth term in a peaceful, orderly election; however, international observers considered it neither free nor fair. President Jammeh’s party, the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), continued to dominate the political landscape, winning an overwhelming majority of National Assembly seats in the parliamentary elections in 2012 and in the local government elections held in April 2013. Six of the seven opposition parties boycotted or otherwise did not participate in both the national assembly and local government elections to protest government intervention and intimidation of opponents. Authorities at times failed to maintain effective control over the security forces.

A failed coup on December 30 resulted in the arrest of individuals suspected of participating in the coup as well as family members of alleged coup plotters. Security forces reportedly killed three coup plotters during the coup attempt.

The most serious human rights problems in the country included torture, arrest, detention, and sometimes enforced disappearance of citizens, and government harassment and abuse of its critics. Government officials routinely used various methods of intimidation to retain power.

Other reported human rights problems included poor prison conditions; denial of due process; prolonged pretrial and incommunicado detention; restrictions on privacy and freedoms of speech, press, and assembly; government interference in the practice of religion; corruption; violence against women and girls, including female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C); forced child marriage; trafficking in persons, including child prostitution; discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals; and child labor.

While the government took steps to prosecute or punish some individuals who committed abuses, impunity and lack of sustained enforcement remained problems.

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ha ha! the "dis-invite" letter was signed Sylvia Stanard
hate that bitch

For some unknown reason, the Gambia One Radio story does not mention any of the pro-democracy activists who were dis-inivted and expelled from the Church of Scientology Black History Month Event.

HON. BENJAMIN .A. ROBERTS WITNESSES BLACK-HISTORY MONTH EVENTS IN WASHINGTON DC.

http://gambiaoneradio.com/?article=2890

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The Church of Scientology in Washington DC USA, was the venue for a very successful Roots Homecoming event on Friday 12th February 2016.

The event which was organized by Mr. Eric Shepherd- CEO of the Diversity restoration Company in collaboration with the Church of scientology as part of activities marking the Black History month, attracted a huge number of Slave descendants and descendants of Slave Masters.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Benjamin Roberts expressed his gratitude to see African-Americans connecting with their roots in The Gambia. Hon. Roberts emphasized that The Gambia is one of the most important places in Africa where African-Americans can find their roots.

His Excellency Ambassador Sheikh Omar Faye who was also in attendance, expressed similar sentiments, adding that the peaceful nature and rich culture in The Gambia, make it a conducive environment for visiting Tourists and Business-oriented people.

Also present at the ceremony was Mr. Pierre Minteh, Protocol and Welfare Officer at the Gambian Embassy in Washington DC, and many other Staff.

On his part, Mr. Shepherd said that his Team was very appreciative for the opportunity to witness African Americans and Africans coming together to honor their ancestors that endured the hardships of slavery in America.

All other Speakers uttered similar voices stressing how excited they were to find a beautiful country like The Gambia that they can call home.

The Occasion enabled the two sides to establish a great foundation where all future activities start from.

The Occasion ended with some prayers from the crowd. Food and refreshment were also served.

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Tweets as the story broke:

https://twitter.com/IndieScieNews/status/698642983709761536

https://twitter.com/IndieScieNews/status/698645710787506177

https://twitter.com/IndieScieNews/status/698657374937206784

https://twitter.com/IndieScieNews/status/698669281177944064

https://twitter.com/IndieScieNews/status/698674788571729920

https://twitter.com/IndieScieNews/status/698682199021907968

https://twitter.com/IndieScieNews/status/698699460931645440

https://twitter.com/IndieScieNews/status/698730241796218882

https://twitter.com/IndieScieNews/status/699060890574983168

Hope Scientology's Invasion of the Black Community knows about this.

Does Gambia=Bulgravia?

Is Scientology licensing Reg Tech to the Gambian government?

This Washington Sun story on the Scientology / Gambia Black History Month event omits any mention of the exclusion of the pro-democracy activists.

Church Of Scientology National Affairs Office Hosts Black History Month Film Screening

http://thewashingtonsun.com/?p=11639

Some more information from AnonyMary on ESMB.

http://www.forum.exscn.net/showthre...mmeh&p=1088738&viewfull=1#post1088738

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Makes perfect sense that the church of Scientology, Miscavige, and Farrakhan would embrace Gambia's President Jammeh. It's like flies to sh*t.



Gambia's president declares Islamic statehood

Al Jazeera Media Network 12 Dec 2015 18:17 GMT
Leader Yahya Jammeh says his nation must reflect its Muslim majority and needs to break away from its colonial past.

[..] Gambia's government has been accused of widespread human rights abuses [AFP]

Gambia's president has declared the West African country an Islamic republic saying the decision was made because Islam is the religion of most citizens and the nation must break away from its colonial past. [..]
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/1...153025585.html


The Final Call WEB POSTED 07-13-1999
SPECIAL COVERAGE
A Dream Fulfilled
Alex Haley Mosque opens
by Dionne Muhammad
[..]The delegation, headed by Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, wife of Min. Farrakhan, and Leonard F. Muhammad, Nation of Islam chief of staff, also included Mustapha Farrakhan, assistant Supreme Captain of the Nation of Islam and son of Min. Farrakhan; Min. Akbar Muhammad, international rep-resentative of the Nation of Islam;

http://finalcall.com/international/1...que7-13-99.htm

IMHO, I'm sure the church officials in DC ( OSA ops Sylvia and John Stanard included ) think D.U.G.A. is the Gambian equivalent to that "terrorist" group of protesters, Anonymous & should be treated as such

This is probably some of what thee church is distancing itself from:

Protesters attacked on streets of D.C. by foreign security guards at Africa Summit
By Robert Lyles, ABC 7 News, Stephen Tschida Thursday, August 7th 2014

WASHINGTON (WJLA) - Protesters were attacked on the streets of D.C. after the conclusion of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, ABC 7 News has learned.

It happened Wednesday evening outside the Hay Adams Hotel, not far from the White House.

Witnesses said the attack began when members of Gambian President Yahya Jammeh's security detail charged at the group made up of mostly Gambian exiles.

"We were here protesting, telling this guy he is nothing but a criminal" when the violence broke out, said protester Saul Mbenga of Jammeh - who was one was one of the summit contingent's longest-ruling leaders....[..]
http://wjla.com/news/local/protester...-summit-105871

From the D.U.G.A. website:

Interesting read... Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy provides information on the philosophy and history of the use of Civil Disobedience http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/civil-disobedience/


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From an official Church of Scientology website.

Code:

http://www.iasmembership.org/news/aps/index.html?locale=

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With funding from an IAS grant, IAS members from England and the United States traveled to The Gambia where they held an intensive series of seminars for that nation’s teachers. Working with the Gambian Department of State for Education, volunteers trained a total of 5,533 teachers from all over the country. “Results were unprecedented,” said Mrs. Ndong Jatta, then Secretary of State for Education in The Gambia. “The quality of education in our country is now accelerating; many reported ‘D’ students becoming ‘A’ students, slow learners learning quickly and most important and crucial, our children are now experiencing the true joy of learning.”

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Whaaa? Protesters didn't follow Rule #1: Take pictures and video early and often. (Rule #2: Have at least one more camera than they know about.)

"Protesters attacked on streets of D.C. by foreign security guards at Africa Summit
By Robert Lyles, ABC 7 News, Stephen Tschida Thursday, August 7th 2014
WASHINGTON (WJLA) - Protesters were attacked on the streets of D.C. after the conclusion of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, ABC 7 News has learned.
It happened Wednesday evening outside the Hay Adams Hotel, not far from the White House.
Witnesses said the attack began when members of Gambian President Yahya Jammeh's security detail charged at the group made up of mostly Gambian exiles."

The security detail may have diplomatic immunity. The U.S. State Department could declare them persona non grata and have them deported. DUGA should file a protest with the Secretary of State and be sure to mention the scientology connection to this act of Fair Game. Seems that both the scientology criminal enterprise and the Gambian government share the notion of "Never fear to hurt another in a just cause".

Weekly tabloid with lazy reporters:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Washington_Sun

Another possible connection from an ADL archived article. Recall that Yahya Jammeh took power in Gambia in a 1994 military coup.

http://archive.adl.org/travels_with_tyrants/travels_with_tyrants_old.html

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TRAVELS WITH TYRANTS: MINISTER LOUIS FARRAKHAN'S ANTI-AMERICAN WORLD TOUR

INTRODUCTION

In January 1996, Louis Farrakhan announced that he was taking the message of the Million Man March on the road in a `World Friendship Tour" of African and Middle Eastern states. In reality, however, he was embarking on a whirlwind tour of some of the world's bloodiest, most antidemocratic nations and lavishing praise on their terrorist-supporting leaders.

This report discusses the most troubling statements Farrakhan and his delegation made along its 1996 "World Friendship Tour." In the course of his 27 day trip, Farrakhan visited five countries described by the United States government as sponsors of terrorism: Libya, Iran, Iraq, Sudan and Syria. He repeatedly denounced the American government, calling it (while in Iran) "the Great Satan."

[SNIP]

GAMBIA

An account of Farrakhan's trip published in the Nation of Islam's The Final Call claims that the NOI Minister enjoys a significant following in the Western African nation of Gambia. The paper reported that on January 25, hundreds of Gambians met Farrakhan and his delegation at the airport with cries of "Long live Brother Farrakhan!"

The country's leader, Chairman Yahya J. J. Jammeh, reportedly told the NOI delegation that when he was a student in the 1970s and 1980s, tapes of Farrakhan were illegal and listened to only secretly, but today are extremely popular. The Final Call also boasted that "Most Gambians were nursed on tapes of the Minister Farrakhan" and that the country is "proving to be a model for the successful impact of the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad."

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https://flipboard.com/topic/gambia

Scientology Press Release on Gambia Black History Month Event conveniently omits exclusion of pro-democracy activists.

PRLog - Press Release Distribution: Church of Scientology National Affairs Office Hosts Black History Month Film Screening

Code:

https://www.prlog.org/12535495-church-of-scientology-national-affairs-office-hosts-black-history-month-film-screening.html

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WASHINGTON - Feb. 22, 2016 - PRLog -- In honor of Black History Month, Eric Sheppard, descendant of Moses Grandy, (Narrative of the Life of Moses Grandy, Late a Slave in the United States of America) screened the short documentary film Freedom & Slavery in the Great Dismal Swamp at the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office. The screening was followed by special presentations by His Excellency Sheik Omar Faye, Ambassador of The Gambia to the United States and the Honorable Mr. Benjamin A. Roberts, Minister of Tourism and Culture of The Gambia.

The Great Dismal Swamp was a place of refuge and a route to freedom for what some estimate to be upwards of 50,000 enslaved African Americans prior to the Civil War. Located in Virginia and North Carolina, it was the first site to be recognized as a National Park Service Network to Freedom Underground Rail Road site in 2003.

But to Mr. Sheppard the Dismal Swamp is more than a site of general historical note. It is also the backdrop of the Narrative of the Life of Moses Grandy, Late a Slave in the United States of America, published in 1843 by the British & Foreign Anti-Slavery Society of London.

As the 400th anniversary of the beginning of slavery in the United States draws near (2019), Sheppard also has been working to re-unite and forge new ties between African Americans and their ancestral history and culture. One of these projects has included the International Roots Homecoming Festival in The Gambia.

It was through this work that Eric Sheppard met His Excellency Sheik Omar Faye, Ambassador of The Gambia to the United States. Ambassador Faye honored Mr. Sheppard and his work as part of the event, introduced the Homecoming Festival and gave a heartfelt welcome from The Gambia to any who wished to reconnect with their land of origin. The Ambassador was followed by the Honorable Mr. Benjamin A. Roberts, Minister of Tourism and Culture of The Gambia, who further amplified the message, speaking of building bridges with the past as a necessity for forward movement and of using ideas and dialogue to educate, exchange and achieve mutual respect and understanding, again inviting one and all for re-connection in The Gambia.

The event was in keeping with this year’s Black History month official theme, “Hallowed Grounds: Sites of African American Memories.”

Executive Director of the Church’s National Affairs Office, Beth Akiyama, who opened and closed the event, said that she and Eric Sheppard harmonized around the theme of Human Rights. It was over the ideas in a film called, The Story of Human Rights, part of the program, United for Human Rights, an international educational movement to teach people all of their human rights. It is a program the Church of Scientology supports to carry forward the words of Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard that, “Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream.”

As Ms. Akiyama recalled, “Mr. Hubbard also said that, ‘Ideas and not battles, mark the forward progress of Mankind.’ It is therefore important for all of us to work together to understand our histories better so we can know and address what has been done in the past and encourage further understanding and communication so that we can all then move forward.”

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