By Sulayman Waan
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dawda Jallow, has divulged that the National Human Right Commission (NHRC) would go beyond accelerating the human right landscape of The Gambia.
“We are in firm conviction that the NHRC will not only accelerate change in human rights landscape of the country but will also contribute significantly in social-economy and cultural development of The Gambia,” he said.
He was speaking during the final round day of Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Human Right Moot Competition as The Gambia celebrated the International Day for Human Rights.
He said The Gambia is a nation which had undergone 22 years of autocratic rule with numerous human rights violations including extrajudicial killing, disappearance without trace, detention without trial, media suppress among others. On this regard, he said the government has decided to respond through strengthening and consolidating human rights and extensive reforms agenda in the country.
“You are all aware of the significant reform that has been initiated to transform The Gambia to a stable democracy where good governance and respect for rule of law and human rights will prevail,” he said.
However, he recalled that government established the human right commission to promote the lives anyone within the Gambian territory.
This moot competition to young person, he said, government would encourage the youth participation in national development, peace building as well as in conflict resolution.
Speaking further, Justice Jallow said this competition is expected to promote respect for cultural, religious diversity as well as build solidarity among youth, especially the young lawyers.
Emmanuel D. Joof, Chairperson for NHRC described the International Day of Human Right as birthday of all human right institution.
“The Sir Dawda Kairaba moot competition is celebrated today to commemorate the International Human Right Day,” he said.
According to him, the competition was meant to celebrate the live and time of former President Jawara and the giant strike efforts he made to promote human rights particularly, his effort in the foundation of the regional human rights in Africa.
“Sir Dawda has played a pivotal role in making sure that we have regional human rights instruments. Sir Dawda has respected the fundamental human rights in The Gambia. We did have multi-party democracy despite all other problems that we have,” he pointed out.
He expressed optimism that the moot competition will inspire and stimulate the interest of students in their human rights if become legal practitioners.
Chairperson Joof called for respect for rule of law as well as respect for fundamental human rights and freedom in The Gambia.
Ms Seraphine Wakana, UN System Coordinator in The Gambia said the moot celebration shown that Gambian youth are educated and empowered on human right issues.
She said human rights are also centered to the sustainable development goals and the 2030 agenda, which demands all inclusion.
“We have seen government efforts in restoring democracy,” she said and added that the UN system have recognized the activeness of the NHRC in protecting human rights in the country.