By Adama Makasuba
The victims of former president Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year reign have laid-out key demands to Barrow administration to respect and fulfil as soon as possible.
Speaking at solidarity march at the Youth Monument, chairman of the Victim’s Center, Sheriff Kijera, told participants at the solidarity march pass that “the Victim’s Center on behalf of Victims is demanding the following: The TRRC final report and recommendations to be submitted to the President as soon as possible. Accountability for all those who bear the greatest responsibility for Human Rights Violations committed during Jammeh’s 22 years’ dictatorship.”
“The government to set-up an independent body responsible for the review of TRRC reparations guidelines and regulations in order to adequately provide reparations to Victims; the government to work closely with Victim-led Associations to establish a National Monument to remember and honour victims of Human Rights Violations and the government to issue a public apology to enhance reconciliation and healing,” Kijera added.
He thanked the support of the international community and recognized the steps taken by the government in addressing these violations through the setting up of the Truth Reconciliation Reparations Commission.
“However, the Victim Community is concerned with the continuous delay in the submission of the final TRRC report and recommendations,” he said.
The victim community highly welcomes the participation of Civil Society Organizations under the leadership of Tango for coming up with a roadmap to ensure the timely implementation and monitoring of the TRRC recommendations by the government, he said.
“Under the 22 years rule of Yahya Jammeh, reports of human rights violations and abuses were rife and characterized in the form of killings, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, arbitrary arrests and detention, indiscriminate and illegal use of force, acts of torture, cruel inhumane or degrading treatment amongst others, meted out on Gambians and non-Gambians. Under his rule, the enjoyment and exercise of rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression, association and assembly were curtailed and crushed.
“Many ordinary citizens, members of civil society including journalists as well as government officials, were abducted, arrested, illegally detained and imprisoned. Intimidation was used to suppress dissent and preserve the President’s grip on power. Other human rights violations concerns including corruption and embezzlements of public funds, land or property expropriation, forced labour, witch-hunting and fake HIV treatment that resulted to some deaths and other complications among people living with HIV,” he pointed out.
