Annually the international community commemorate International Human Rights Day (IHRD) on 10 December. The day is set aside to commemorate adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly. International commemorative days such as IHRD serve as catalyst to educate the public on issues of concern, mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity.
In The Gambia, the human rights organization known as Beakanyang recently joined the rest of the word to mark the day.
Addressing celebrants at a symposium held at Basse, Upper River Region, Mr. Nfamara Jawneh, Executive Director off Beakanyang said that IHRD is celebrated to recognize and remind the world of the inalienable rights that everyone is inherently entitled to regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic this year, the theme for IHRD 2020 relates to the pandemic and focuses on the need to recover better by ensuring human rights are placed at the center of recovery efforts.
According to Jawneh, the celebration was also aimed at raising public awareness on the need for government to respect, protect and fulfil human rights while also reminding government of the need to fulfil its obligations to protect human rights.
“As one of the leading Civil Society Organisations in the country engaged in human rights promotion Beakanyang (Seeking Equal Opportunities for All) will remain committed to promoting human rights in The Gambia,” he said.
Since 2009 to ensure inclusive commemoration of IHRD in the country, Beakanyang organises activities targeted at schoolchildren in various regions in the country to celebrate the day raising awareness on the need for human rights protection and availability of human rights to all individuals without any distinction.
Ensuring that by the end of the celebrations, participants acquire new knowledge and increase their understanding of human rights participants which includes students from about 10 schools in the region, security personnel, teachers, youth leaders and other CSO representatives.
He thanked the Transitional Justice and Human Rights Project administered by UNDP, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Peacebuilding Fund for supporting the celebration.
He also hailed the Youth for Human Rights International and the National Human Rights Commission for their continue support and partnership.
“The events aim to add to national discussion on how to promote human rights and inspire students to become human rights advocates in their communities,” said Jawneh.
Jawneh recalled that many people in The Gambia had undergone gross human rights violations and abuses in the form of killings, inhumane torture, forced disappearances, imprisonment without trial under the former regime. “This unfortunate reality has created a reproachable hallmark and damages in the human rights records and history of our dear country which we all have a huge responsibility to work to redress going forward,” he lamented.
He acknowledged the efforts of the current government in promoting human rights values while calling on all stakeholders particularly the government to redouble their efforts in making sure that justice is served and make sure that such violations do not re-occur.
He added: “We are all aware that the world is currently grappling with the coronavirus pandemic which has a heavily weighed down on our lives and livelihoods. The pandemic has posed insurmountable challenges and disruptions on our efforts put in place to address human rights issues around the world. We therefore need to cooperate in working to institutionalise sustainable, inclusive and progressive strategies to promote human rights both during and post-covid-19 pandemic. In respect to this and the theme for this year’s IHRD celebration, it is imperative to put into consideration the centrality of everyone’ participation particularly rural communities in activities marking this year’s celebration; as well as their inclusion in the process of recovering and building back a resilient and more inclusive society.”
Babucarr Njie, representing the National Human Rights Commission highlighted the mandate of NHRC and how people can access its services.
For his part, Mr. Essa Conteh, deputy governor of URR applauded Beakanyang for celebrating the IHRD in the region.
He called for change of attitudes among Gambians in building a human rights culture in the country.
Speaking earlier, Mr Janko Jawneh, Principal Education Officer for Region 6, said there cannot be any meaningful and sustainable peace and development in any country in the absence of respect for human rights.
Baboucarr Sidibeh, regional youth chairperson of URR called for justice for victims of human rights violations in the country.
Other speakers include the board chairperson of Beakanyang Mr Yahya Sumareh and Mrs Mariama Trawalleh, female rep at Basse Area Council.
The celebration was characterized with a match pass from Basse Market to the Regional Agriculture Office in Mansajang, presentations on human rights as well as dramas on human rights.
