In a press release issued here on Tuesday, the embassy stated that "We note with deep concern the ongoing threats to press freedom, highlighted by the recent arrests and detentions of 8 journalists in The Gambia, and call on the government of the Gambia to ensure that in applying its laws on seditious speech, it ensures that the right to free speech is fully protected."

The release alludes to Article 10 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights provision that "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression this right includes freedom to hold opinion without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through media and regardless of frontiers."

The release goes on to state that a free press is one of the essential cornerstones of democracy, an institution without which freedom cannot be assured. It is absolutely vital to the health of any democracy that opposition polliticians, human rights activisits, non-governmental organisations and ordinary citizens be allowed to express their opinions freely in the press without retaliation.This is especially true with regard to criticism of a government and its leaders.

In addition, the release also states that "In a democratic society, one of our most treasured rights is the abillity to disagree with the politics and actions of our government or the lack thereof.

"No government likes to be criticised, but every democratic government must realise that criticism, even harsh criticism, of its actions and policies is a fundamental right of the people. Libel laws and laws against seditious speech should never be used to suppress this right," the release said.