Global Magnitsky Act Could be Powerful Weapon against Impunity in Journalist Murders (Committee to Protect Journalists – May 24)

Last week, the proposed Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act emerged from the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee with approval. The bill was passed by the Senate last year. If passed by the full House of Representatives and signed into law by the president, it has the potential to offer partial redress to one of the most chilling truths facing journalists today: in 90 percent of cases, the murders of journalists go unpunished.

Gambia Rising: Pro-democracy protests and government's crackdown explained (International Business Times – May 19)

Hundreds of people have been calling for electoral reform and political change in the Gambia ahead of presidential election, which will be held on 1 December. Despite the arrests of activists and opposition members when protests erupted on 14 April, people are still taking to the streets of capital Banjul – where demonstrations are rare – demanding change in the West African nation.

Gambian Diplomat Samsudeen Sarr Defends Use of Deadly Force Against Foreign-Sponsored Uprising (International Business Times – May 11)

A Gambian diplomat accused of inciting violence against protesters in his country has spoken out about a leaked tape in which he suggested he would open fire on demonstrators, referring to protesters rocking Gambia's capital, Banjul. Samsudeen Sarr, Gambia's deputy ambassador to the United Nations, accused the person who secretly recorded him of doctoring the audio releasing just a few seconds of a two-hour-long conversation.

Gambian Diplomat Samsudeen Sarr Allegedly Threatens to Shoot Protesters in Leaked Tape (International Business Times – May 10)

An audio clip containing controversial remarks reportedly made by Gambia's deputy ambassador to the United Nations has emerged. It is believed that Samsudeen Sarr was recorded while saying he would open fire on people, presumably referring to protesters rocking Gambia's capital, Banjul.

Gambian Dictatorship Attacks Protesters Again, Top Officials Threaten to Shoot Civilians (Sahara Reporters – May 9)

State sponsored violence against protesters has escalated once again in Gambia as police in riot gear attacked citizens gathering to demonstrate against unfair treatment of opposition members in state custody. On Monday, protesters gathered outside the High Court in the capital Banjul as opposition leader Ousainou Darboe appeared for a court ruling. Mr. Darboe, leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP) is on trial for his involvement in a protest held in April. He was arrested alongside 38 other opposition members, who have all been charged with conspiracy to commit a felony.

The World’s Longest Serving President Just Won Another Term in Office (Vice News – April 29)

The longest-serving president of any country around the world has just been re-elected for the fifth time. Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema will see his nearly 37-year-long tenure in office extended after securing 93.7 percent of the vote.

Gambia: Activists charged with felony in protests to unseat President Yahya Jammeh (International Business Times – April 29)

Gambia's High Court has charged opposition leader Ousaniou Darboe and 19 other activists arrested after taking part in a protest with conspiracy to commit a felony. The defendants, including newly accused Masanneh Lalo Jawla, had previously been charged with assembling unlawfully, rioting, inciting violence and interfering with vehicles. They all pleaded not guilty.