By Binta Jaiteh
The National Assembly has assured commitment to continue upholding human rights and take practical measures against violations and abuse of rights in the country.
Speaking at a programme organised by the National Human Rights Commission, speaker of the Parliament, Honorable Mariam Jack-Denton, said: “Human right is very delight to their hearts and as a committee they are to call to justice and protect human rights in all aspects, it is well known that the assembly and HRC has a special role in protection of human rights a responsibility to watch the commission. The assembly is pleased to show effective concentration to human rights take practical measure in abuses and make sure the law provides practical measures and remedies.”
“Although the commission is answerable to the assembly rightly indicated by the chairperson particularly to the committee to take pride of its existence as result of the legislative in 2017” she said.
According to her, r this is one of the reasons why the assembly in June established a committee in human rights and constitutional matters for the first time in the history of The Gambia in parliament.
She said the house committee and the commission established a very good working relationship which requires further strengthening and frequent interface between the two bodies.
“In addition to the legislative and representative function the assembly has the unique role to influence policies and budgets, monitor policy implementation at local level and act as a catalyst in the humanization of domestically and internationally,” she added.
Joshua Colebourne, deputy High Commissioner the National Assembly and standing order on NHRC play a key role in ensuring human rights are protected and this cannot be done without showing compliance at human rights with international standing orders.