The Attorney General, who doubles as Minister of Justice has strongly warned both alleged perpetrators and victims of the former regime to come forward and give their testimonies at the Truth Reconciliation and Reparation Commission.
Abubacarr Tambedou unveiled this warning during his monthly press conference held at the AG Chambers in Banjul, as he said the TRRC is empowered to take actions against witnesses invited and failed to testify at TRRC.
As the TRRC is due to be launched on 15th of October this year, Justice Minister urged every victim and perpetrator to help heal the wounds of the country by sharing their stories with the TRRC, ‘by adding to close a dark chapter and move forward.’
According to him, the alleged perpetrators stance a chance to amnesty if they appear and share their stories to the TRRC, but added that they also stance no chance to amnesty if they fail to do so.
“We will strongly encourage the perpetrators to come forward to share their stories and experiences. They stand a chance of being granted amnesty when they do so. On the contrary they stand no chance of getting amnesty if they don’t,” he said.
Meanwhile, Truth Reconciliation and Reparation Commission is establish to probe alleged human right violation committed under the APRC regime.
Many people in the country wide expect the TRRC to heal the alleged injustice and gross human right crimes committed during the tenure of the former president Yahya Jammeh.
He also fervently warned that if evidence is gathered against any perpetrator, who failed to appear at the TRRC after summon will be prosecuted with the due process of the law.
He added: “But if they don’t and there is evidence of crime against any, then the person would be prosecuted, there is no doubt about that. He did emphasis that they will be prosecuted.”
Author: Adama Makasuba
