Mustapha S Koli, URR
The Executive Members of the National Human Rights Commission, with funding from the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) on Tuesday organized a day consultation forum at a gathering held at the Governor’s Bantaba in Basse Upper River Region.
The Chairman of the Commission, Commissioner Emmanuel Daniel Joof, said that the consultation forum is meant for the executive members to meet with stakeholders and share information on the mandate and guiding principles of the Commission, in their quest to promote and protect the Fundamental Human Rights of citizens.
He said that, the government of the Gambia attaches great significance to the promotion and protection of individual human rights of citizens.
This he, said served the basis for the establishment of a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in February 2019 by act of parliament.
He buttressed on the significance of respecting and fulfilling the rights of one another, particularly protective and progressive rights, such as the right to education, Health, Clean Environment, as well as freedom from discrimination, Arrest, inequality, torture, amongst others.
“As an independent body, we are mandated by the National Human Rights Commissions Act, to Monitor, investigate as well as to advice Government on Human Right issues in the country”. He laments.
Commissioner Joof added that, Human Rights are Human Rights for all and therefore the need for the Law enforcement agencies to operate within due process.
Commissioner Njundu Drammeh said that, human rights are universal and inalienable and duty bearers are obliged to respect and fulfill these rights of citizens.
He clarifies that, it is not only the government, Private and Business Sector, that only infringe on the rights of the people, but individuals do also violate the rights of one other.
He dilated on the significant roles that Regional Authorities, Women and Youth Leaders, The Security and Traditional Authorities can play in enhancing the work of the Commission.
Madam Fanta B.S.Manneh, in her welcome address, expressed happiness to be part of what, she referred to as a significant consultation.
She said that, the commission will facilitate access to justice, particularly within the rural Gambia.
She finally challenged participants to contribute effectively to be well inform on issues regarding functions, mandate and procedures of the commission.
Madam Haja Jarai Jagana, Lady Councilor for Jimara, describes the consultations as timely and added that, it has come to address the plight of women who are often victims of right violations.
She said that, the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission will serve as an avenue to report cases of Women and Children’s Right violations without fear of reprisal.
Participants took turns, to recommend for the decentralization of the commission for effective and efficient service delivery