The Chairman of The Gambia, Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), Dr. Lamin J. Sise, on Tuesday announced the suspension of the commission’s public hearings till further notice amid the spread of coronavirus.
He said the suspension is with immediate.
“At a time when the number of Covid-19 cases in the country is rising at an alarming rate, the Commission is deeply concerned about the safety of both Commissioners and staff of the TRRC, as well as our media partners, our witnesses, our security personnel, and indeed all members of the public,” he said in statement made available.
Sise said while the commission is keen on completing its work and submitting its final report and recommendations in good time, “We are conscious of the fact that continuing our public hearings may put the lives of everybody concerned at risk of Covid-19 infection.
“We will therefore suspend the public hearings for now, and will inform the public as to when we will resume at the appropriate moment.”
According to him, during the period of this suspension of public hearings, the various committees of the Commission will continue working on their various agendas.
He also said the commission will continue working on putting together some aspects of the final report.
“We are pleased to report that various mechanisms have been put in place and some modest progress is being made towards the compilation of the final report. The Commission’s secretariat will also remain partially open. All our various units will remain operational with some staff coming to work on a roster system and others working from home during the period of suspension,” Sise said.
He pointed out that the public is assured that the TRRC remains fully committed to delivering on all aspects of its mandate as soon as is humanly possible.
He said the TRRC encourages all members of the public to please take all cautionary measures to keep themselves, their families, relatives, friends and communities safe from the Coronavirus.
“Always wear your mask, wash your hands regularly with soap or use hand sanitizers, observe social distancing, and follow all other guidelines recommended by the World Health Organization and our health authorities here in The Gambia,” Sise added.