Rainforest group challenges police brutality and repression

Determined to hault the police brutality and repression faced by campaigning organisations in Gabon, Rainforest Foundation UK partner Brainforest is at the forefront of a coalition to confront the government there.

Ignoring police intimidation, the coalition recently delivered an official complaint to the High Court against the violence and human rights abuses their groups suffer. They claim that they – along with local journalists -- have been brutalised at the hands of the National Police on orders from Gabonese Minister of the Interior André Mba Obame. The minister has become “a symbol of the repression and suppression of all expression of fundamental liberties in Gabon,” according to the coalition.

A series of peaceful demonstrations have erupted into violence with police attacking journalists and campaigners, confiscating their equipment; and arresting group leaders.

“This is a return to the ancient order of repression, gagging, confiscation of fundamental liberties and deliberate violations of human rights, said Marc Ona, director of Brainforest. “It makes it even more difficult to confront multinationals ready to exploit our rainforests,” he said.

The groups are calling on national and international communities to condemn the anti-democratic actions by the very Ministry charged with guarding the safety and well-being of Gabonese citizens and guaranteeing their freedom of speech.

The situation is very bad for organisations campaigning on extremely important issues like rainforest destruction, says Cath Long, Programme Director at the Rainforest Foundation UK. “Brainforest is one of the few Gabonese non-governmental organisations with the courage to speak out on corruption and abuse by big business and government,” she says.