Bai Lowe

The German Federal Court of Justice announced on November 29, 2024 that it had rejected the appeal of a former member of a Gambian death squad who was sentenced to life imprisonment a year ago for his participation in two murders and three attempted murders, constituting crimes against humanity. This was the first trial in history to be held under the principle of universal jurisdiction for international crimes committed under former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh.

Bai L., a former member of the paramilitary unit known as the “Junglers”, created by former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a German court for two murders and an attempted murder constituting crimes against humanity. This is the first trial to be held on the basis of universal jurisdiction for crimes committed during Mr Jammeh’s presidency. The judgment is of major significance, not only for the four plaintiffs in the trial, but also for all the victims and survivors of these crimes.

TRIAL International has put together a series of frequently asked questions about the case of Bai L., former member of the Gambian paramilitary unit also known as the “Junglers”, created under former dictator Yahya Jammeh. It exists in English, French and German.

Alleged Gambian ‘Death Squad’ Driver’s Trial Progresses

A Ghanaian citizen who survived the massacre of approximately 59 West African migrants in July 2005 by a paramilitary ‘death squad’ in Gambia will testify before a court on 19 January 2023 in the German city of Celle, ANEKED, Human Rights Watch, the International Commission of Jurists, the Solo Sandeng Foundation and TRIAL International said today. The death squad was allegedly set up by the then-Gambian President Yahya Jammeh. The trial is of Bai L. who was allegedly involved in the killings.

A woman who survived the murder of the renowned Gambian journalist and newspaper editor Deyda Hydara, testified on 6 and 7 October 2022 in the German city of Celle at the trial of Bai L., a man allegedly involved in the killing.

The opening of the first German trial for serious crimes committed in Gambia is a major step for justice, Human Rights Watch, the International Commission of Jurists, Reporters Without Borders, and TRIAL International said today. The groups released a question-and-answer document on the trial, which opens on 25 April 2022, and will hold an online briefing on 21 April.

Major Advance for Victims of Abuses During Yahya Jammeh Rule

The indictment in Germany, announced on 03.03.2022, of an alleged former Gambian “death squad” member suspected of crimes against humanity is an important step for Gambian victims and international justice, TRIAL International and the International Commission of Jurists said today.

The session of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission on the massacre of 59 migrants from eight West African countries has come to an end on 11 March 2021 in The Gambia. The testimonies that succeeded in recent weeks have revealed new elements, but also confirmed existing information, further strengthening the ties between former President Yahya Jammeh and these murders. Human Rights Watch and TRIAL International support the process to ensure that the former president – in exile in Equatorial Guinea since his departure from The Gambia in January 2017 – is held accountable.

The families of more than 50 Ghanaian and other West African migrants killed in The Gambia and Senegal 15 years ago have yet to learn the full truth and obtain justice concerning the massacre, 11 human rights organizations said today. Amid growing evidence that the murders were carried out by Gambian security force members acting on the orders of then-president Yahya Jammeh, the groups called for an international investigation of the massacre.