By Binta Jaiteh
The National Human Rights Commission has frowned on involvement of children in political campaign and urged both politicians and parents to discourage kids from wearing political shirts.
Speaking at a news briefing at the commission’s headquarters in Kololi, Emmanuel Joof, NHRC chairman said: “political parties should discourage children involvement in political campaigns because children should be at School.”
He said, “it has been in the attention of the NHRC and UNICEF brought in the notice about children used in the nomination period and campaign period and is a great concern to us this misuse manipulation and engagement of children by the political parties should be discouraged.
According to him, if scanning is done during the nomination, it will show a lot of children wearing T-shirts being part of the nomination, adding “I urge parents to discourage it and we will continue to follow with relevant stakeholders.”
Meanwhile, he said: “security services should be seen very fair, we coming from a history of 22 years of APRC ruling were police officers wear party colours and giving instructions to other politicians of not holding rally. Police officers are not above the law they operate within the law.”
“We are going to elect president of the Republic of The Gambia on 4th December, subsequently by April we will have the legislative elections. Perhaps is important to say that, The Gambia has a history of election that is free and fair process. Since then, Gambia had election from Independence in 1965 except for the period which the last republic was held in 1992 and a Coup de tat in 1994 by 1996 we had a referendum that gave us 1997 constitution,” he added.
“Free and fair election gives the mandate of the ECOMIG forces to visit Gambia, the IEC is mandated by law to manage every aspect of elections and they have registered political parties. However, NHRC play an important role in the election cycle as elections are human right issues adding that right to vote is a fundamental right in chapter 4 of the constitution and is guaranteed. If there is an institution step up for the rule of law and human right activities is the NHRC and that is why we have actually taken pivotal role in the process and continue,” he explained.
He said his office had conducted series of training with their staffs and civil society to build capacity in monitoring the election process, adding NHRC had also monitored the voter process and made observation with comprehensive report findings and recommendations to government on issues relating to citizenships and others.
Dr Saikou Kawsu Gassama, executive secretary, also said: “the issue around security will be highlighted, including media and other stakeholders and the role of law enforcement.”
