Abubacarr Tambedou, Minister of Justice has reassuring all sides of the ethnic and political divisions that there shall be no witch-hunt against any person or communities for the excesses of the previous regime.
He restores confidence to the victims and their families that justice will be dispensed through due process of law, respect for the rights of all Gambians, and in a fair, transparent, and stable environment; a balance between, on the one hand, to fostering social cohesion
He was speaking during the launching of Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) at a local hotel yesterday.
He added that encouraging national reconciliation through justice, and on the other hand, the rebuilding of a strong and robust democratic foundation anchored upon respect for the rule of law and human rights.
According to him, government has resolved to improve the country’s constitutional, legal and institutional framework in various governance areas in order to consolidate democracy and align the entire governance architecture with international justice and human rights standards.
He noted that the priority of the government is to put in place a new and resilient architecture to uphold the highest standards when it comes to human rights, justice and the rule of law.
”This means, embarking on an ambitious legal and constitutional reform process that focuses primarily on the following five main areas: Constitutional Review, Institutional Reform, Criminal Justice & Media Law Reform, Truth Reconciliation and Reparations and Addressing Impunity,” he stated.
He explained that the primary objectives of the TRRC includes: to investigate human rights violations and abuses committed during the past 22 years of former president Jammeh’s authoritarian rule; to foster social cohesion and encourage national reconciliation among Gambians; to address impunity; to recognize the rights and dignity of victims through the provision of appropriate reparations; and above all, to learn appropriate lessons in order to put in place effective mechanisms to prevent recurrence.
He explained that the beginning of the process will show the world that The Gambia would not condone impunity for the most serious human rights violations and abuses.
“That is why the TRRC is not only mandated to recommend amnesty or grant reparations, but also to identify for prosecution only those who bear the greatest responsibility for these violations and abuses,” he said
He remarked that this will focus the results from the reality that the prosecution of those generally considered the most culpable, is likely to have the greatest symbolic value and will provide the greatest sense of justice for the largest number of victims.
“Too many have died for this dream and they should not have died in vain. We must therefore view the new Gambia as a project for laying a solid foundation of democracy anchored upon respect for the rule of law, human rights and constitutional authority,” he noted
These are not just lofty ideals for us here in The Gambia. They are powerful ideas that carry great meanings for our people; ideas that could have prevented the deaths of school children on April 10/11 2000, of Basirou Barrow, Dot Faal, Gibril Saye, Koro Ceesay, Daba Marena, Haruna Jammeh, Saul Ndow, Mahawa Cham, Mamut Ceesay, Solo Sandeng and many others, and the gruesome torture of many more. These ideals can save lives! The new Gambia is therefore about the kind of legacy this generation of Gambians will bequeath to future generations.
In establishing the TRRC, we have been inspired by the wise words of Nelson Mandela at the end of apartheid in South Africa, that: “Instead of hatred and revenge, we chose reconciliation and nation building”.
He calls upon the victims, and especially the perpetrators to take advantage of this unique opportunity to come forward and help them heal the wounds of a battered and bruised nation.
Author: Bakary Ceesay