Strengthen human rights, others in Gambia’s transitional process launched

The project that is designed to ‘Strengthening human rights standards, support to Parliamentary Sub Committee on Human Rights, Gambian Federation of People with Disability and Association of Victims of Torture during the transition’ has been launched.

The launching was held yesterday at the Atlantic hotel in Banjul.

The project is implemented by ARTICLE 19 West Africa in partnership with the Institute of Human Rights and development in Africa (IHRDA) with support of the European Union.

The launch is aimed at informing the government and other stakeholders including the media and general public on the rationale and expected impact of the project.

Speaking at the occasion, the regional director, article 19 Fatou Jagne Senghore welcomed the support of their partners in contributing to the transitional process.

She said the project is a two years project that is supported by EU.  “The project aim to ensuring that there is accountability and redress for human right violation and institutional mechanism and legislations are in place to grantee and protect human right for all people in the country to enhance democratic values.”

With regards to The Gambia federation with people with disability, she explained that the project will lead to the community which aware of the right of person with disability, including the epigeous enactment of a special legislation for people with disability and empowerment of communities to enhance the social economic through provision of funds.  

Zainab lowe, the representative of the victims center highlighted that the victims center is an independent body and the project will contribute in sensitizing communities on transitional justice process.

 She however calls on the victims of human rights violation to register with the center to help reach their needs.

Attali lagos, EU ambassador to The Gambia expressed delights that EU supports in grooming The Gambia’s transitional justice.

He said they are supporting a project which will build 300 standards in The Gambia’s transitional process. “The project we are launching will help build trust for the people of the Gambia by carrying institutional change.”

Aboubacar Tanbedou, the minister of justice explained that he do listen to some radio stations talking of the government policies and encourage people to call, while they didn’t know anything to what they are saying. “Is not faire but it shows the government commitment in supporting human rights.”

As all the speakers believe in helping people with disability, the minister said his government is committed in support them.

Mariama Jack-Denton, the speaker of the national assembly lamented that the project will encourage the advocacy role of the national assembly.

She said the national assembly is in ability to support Gambia’s victims and person living with disability.