By Adama Makasuba
The National Human Rights Commission and National Council for Civic Education on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding which aims at raising public awareness on fundamental human rights and freedom and promote understanding of laws.
The signing ceremony brought together top officials of both institutions where officials exercise regard for social distancing by exercising one-metre spacing among the gathering held at the Commission’s headquarters in Kololi.
Speaking at the ceremony, Emmanuel Daniel Joof, NHRC chairperson described the agreement as ‘milestone’ that will facilitate a fruitful collaboration for the two institutions to coordinate and raise awareness of the public on fundamental human rights and freedom.
“The NHRC believes that by signing this important MOU, the “new Gambia” that we all envisage will be better served. This partnership is therefore coming at the right moment especially at a time when information sources are varied and most times, unreliable,” he said.
Mr Joof acknowledged that it is therefore critical the public have access to information that is factual, reliable and consistent with the laws.
He added: “with this partnership, the two institutions will rely on the collective experience and technical expertise of their staff to implement joint awareness creation activities on human rights in an effort to create an environment where these rights are respected and upheld by all.”
Representing NCCE, Alhaji Sering Faye chairperson of the council also described the agreement as significance saying “signing which might not be necessarily marks the beginning of our collaboration but just a formality as the engagement between the two institutions has already began in honest.”
According to him, National Human Rights Commission has chosen the right partners saying NCCE’s works includes enlightening the public about their fundamental rights, freedom and duties as enshrined in the constitution of the land.
He assured his office commitment in partnering and collaboration with the office of the National Human Rights Commission to promote and protect rights of people.