Gambia

Surrounded on three sides by Senegal and following the course of the river of the same name into the Atlantic ocean, Gambia is the smallest country in Africa. Independent from the UK in 1965, a long period of one party dominated politics was brought to an end by a military coup in 1994, the leader of whom has since held the presidency through a series of sometimes controversial multi-party elections. Particular human rights issues in Gambia include the reintroduction of the death penalty, a harsh justice system, moves to shut down opposition and a free press and the early marriage amongst girls.