President Adama Barrow, has said the Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) must be free from all forms of outside influence.
“In establishing the Commission, a special focus was placed on its independence and inclusive nature. We believe that in order for the process to be meaningful, the TRRC must be free from all forms of outside influence. So also was the appointment of the Commissioners done via what I consider as one of the most transparent and inclusive processes this country has ever known. It is our hope that in doing this, the Commission’s independence and composition will allow for a sincere and inclusive process, with which we can all proudly associate ourselves,” he said during the launching of TRRC yesterday at Dunes Hotel.
He further explained that for a long time, Gambia had looked forward to this day; a historic step towards discovering the truth for national healing.
The story of how we got here would be incomplete if we did not first pay homage to the countless victims of the past twenty-two years; that is, the countless people who stood up to tyranny and, in the pursuit of freedom were selflessly laid down their lives for their conviction. These were the victims known or yet to be known. Lest we forget, they also include those who are still with us today. Therefore, we clear up crack today, to investigate and establish an impartial historical record of the nature, causes and extent of the violations and abuses of human rights committed from July 1994 to January 2017.
According to President Barrow, the establishment of the TRRC is not an isolated development in our pursuit of a ‘New Gambia’, rather, it constitutes a component of the wider Transitional Justice Process, and it is pleasing to state that over the past twenty-one months, huge progress has been made in this direction.
He added that he establishment of the TRRC is not an isolated development in our pursuit of a ‘New Gambia.’ Rather, it constitutes a component of the wider Transitional Justice Process, and it is pleasing to state that over the past twenty-one months, huge progress has been made in this direction.
For the families of either the perpetrators or the victims, the moment may present itself for them to come to terms with the reality of the brutality committed by, or against, their loved ones.
Irrespective of whoever may be brought before the committee, we must forge on resoluteness as one people, united in our diversity with the common belief that we can set aside our differences and confront our past, while holding on to the promise of brighter future.
As we embark on this process, we must bravely revisit the past in order to build a better future. As Gambians, and as a united people, our common experience remains our greatest teacher.
That bitter experience should guide us now, as we move towards forging a “New Gambia” wherein the respect for Human Rights, the Rule of law and Guarantee of inherent freedoms are the pillars on which we thrive as a nation.
Subsequently, the promotion of reconciliation and justice and, the healing and rebuilding of our nation lies in our own hands. Therefore, Let us stand together to say: “Never again shall a few people oppress us as a nation. Never and never, again shall this beautiful Smiling Coast experience the oppression and tyranny of the minority against the majority.”
Author: Bakary Ceesay