Ex-President of the Gambia – Yahya Jammeh, Roots Homecoming festival © Jason Florio
From 1994 -2017 Yahya Jammeh ruled the Gambia, West Africa as his own fiefdom, crushing dissent, and opposition with brutality. With Jammeh’s ouster and flight into exile, hundreds of Gambians now feel safe to come forward and speak freely about the crimes committed against them by his regime.
This portrait series is a work in progress…Jason Florio.
Ex-political prisoner Ballo Kanteh shows the burns he suffered after melted plastic was dripped onto his skin by Jammeh’s notorious henchmen, the Junglers, at Mile 2 prison during his 18-year detention. For the first two years, he was held in solitary confinement in a pitch dark cell, which has permanently damaged his eyesight Jason Florio
October 15th, 2018, sees the launch of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) – As a direct result of 22 years of authoritarian rule, human rights violations were widespread… read more on lawhubgambia.com
A prisoner shouts through the window from his cell, Mile 2 prison, The Gambia, West Africa © Jason Florio – All rights reserved.
Exclusive images from inside ousted ex-president, Yahya Jammeh’s, ‘my 5 Star Hotel’ (as he frequently called it) – the notorious Mile 2 Prison, Nov 2017.
A prisoner sits looking out of the window of his cell – Mile 2 Prison, The Gambia, West Africa © Jason Florio
Gambia Victims Portraits Jason Florio
Watch this space for more news, and images, from this ongoing portrait series. JF
Related: ‘We Never Gave Up – Stories of Courage in Gambia’ – a documentary for Amnesty International.
‘ICC: Victims of Atrocities Deserve Justice’ – interview footage of Ayeshah Jammeh (the Gambia) & Asmaou Diallo (Guinea) by Jason Florio & Helen Jones-Florio – for Human Rights Watch.
___________
October 2018
Currently: in the UK – available for assignments
@jasonflorio / @floriotravels – Instagram
floriotravels – Vimeo
floriophotoNYC – Twitter
Jason Florio/Photojournalist – FB
