The Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambedou said that Government will not hesitate to apply the law on false publication on those found wanting, cognizant of the current trend of affairs in the country and that laws are meant to be obeyed.
AG and Minister of Justice made this observation at a press briefing held on Tuesday at his office in Banjul and described the situation as very worrisome trend in the country. He was referring to misinformation either on the main stream media or social media.
“While we want to encourage a culture of tolerance and freedom of expression in the country, like any other democratic country, this must not be equated with chaos or be used as an opportunity to tarnish the reputation of or smear innocent people,” Tambedou said.
Saying the tendency is that, once an allegation is made against someone, many people rush to judgment and condemn them even when there is no evidence to support the allegation. We cannot accused, tried and condemn people in one scoop. He added that such amounts to mob justice, saying everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence until they are found otherwise by law.
“Let me also take this opportunity to remind everyone that, the publication of false news is still a criminal offence in this country as upheld recently by the Supreme Court and we will not hesitate to apply the law. I therefore encourage everyone to exercise and enjoy their right to freedom of expression without committing any crime, because if they do, they will be held accountable.”
Tambedou himself has been a subject of intense criticism by some Gambians, who held him responsible for what they called “ill-advising” government to award country’s national identification card to a Belgian company that is currently being investigated for corruption, he maintained his position on the grounds that, Semlex has a valid contract with Gambia government and cannot therefore be denied the contract.
Meanwhile, the Justice Minister also informed journalists about the Janneh Commission’s current work on its draft report, bringing its investigations to an end.
According to him, as part of major work plan for his ministry for 2019, they will be working on prison reform in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, electoral reform in collaboration with the Independent Electoral Commission and criminal justice legislative reform are all part of the cited plan.
The Justice Ministry also informed journalists about issues relating to the formation of national human rights commission, Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation and Commission and anti-corruption commission, among others.