By Omar Faye
Omar Jallow, alias OJ has said that April 10 and 11 2000 students massacre should be a national remembrance day for victims that were killed during the protest.
On 10th and 11th April 2000, Gambian students took to the street to protest against the alleged murderer of Ebrima Barry, a student at Brikama Vocational Training Centre (FORSTER) and the rape of a school girl from Brikama-Ba.
Both Barry’s killing and the rape of the school girl, who was ten at the time, were allegedly committed by Fire Service and Police.
The Gambian security forces fired live ammunitions on student protesters resulting in the death of 14 students and a journalist and as well injured dozens of people.
Those killed on that fateful day, April 10-11, 2000 included Reginald Carrol, Lamin A. Barrow, Ousman Sabally, Sainey Nyabally, Ousman Sembene, Bakary Njie, Claesco Pierre, Momodou Lamin Njie, Ebrima Barry, Wuyea Foday Mansareh, Momodou Lamin Chune, Abdoulie Sanyang, Omar Barrow, and Burama Badjie and Journalist Omar Barrow.
Wednesday, Civic society members, victims (survivors) of the sad event held a march pass in remembrance of the fallen victims and continue to demand for justice as they all wore T-Shirt inscribed on it “April 10-11 Never Again, 19 Years When Shall Justice Come?”
Jallow was speaking during a one-day symposium organized by the Gambia Center for Victims of Human Rights Violation, the National Human Rights Commission and the Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission held under the theme: “Justice Reconciliation and Non Recurrent” which brought together victims of April 10 and 11 2000, students, civic society actors, held at the Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute (GTHI)
He said that April 10 and 11 reflect the darkest days in the history of the country, adding that it should not be left on the hands of victims who survive April 10 and 11 to be organizing such forums for remembrance of victims who lost their life.
He said that those victims need a decent life and should be giving much needed medical support to help them overcome the physical challenges they encountered.
Musubaakoto Saho Deputy Executive Secretary of TRRC stated that not much has been done as far as justice and redress is concern for victims of April 10 and 11 2000. She said with the establishment of the transitional justice mechanism that are in place to ensure accountability for perpetrators, to also ensure justice for the victims, but most importantly, to ensure that never again would we allow dictatorship let alone violation of serious fundamental human right and freedom.
She added that The Gambia is a party to many human rights treaties and instrument and to a great extend domesticated this international instrument.
“What we want is proper implementations and enforcement of this laws to ensure that Gambians and non-Gambians alike who find themselves within the jurisdiction of this states, would have the freedom to fully express themselves, to associate to have their fundamental human rights and freedom such as social economic rights guarantee at all times”
Sainey Senghore a survival of April 10 and 11 student’s massacre said that the day symbolize and brought victims and survival to remember their colleagues who were killed during the protest.
He calls on the government of the day to provide support and medical attention and to also repeal the indemnity act.