As The Gambia prepares for the 4th December, 2021 Presidential elections, the government, security agencies, political parties, independent electoral commission, government institutions and civil society must all ensure that the election reflects the ‘will of the people’.
According to article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and supported by article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, article 13(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Chapter IV of the Constitution of the Second Republic of The Gambia, 2001, the basis of the elections into government must reflect the ‘will of the people’.
The Human Rights Advancement, Development and Advocacy Centre (HURIDAC) and the Network of Human Rights Journalists – The Gambia (NHRJ) call on all political parties contesting in this election, candidates inclusive to ensure that their members and supporters abide by the rule of law.
HURIDAC and the NHRJ call on the Gambia Government to create an enabling environment that respects human rights and guarantees a ‘free and fair’ election, which are a prerequisite for democracy, good governance and respect for the rule of law. The election process must guarantee the exercise of freedom of speech and expression, opinion, association and non-discrimination.
HURIDAC and the NHRJ advocate for the mainstreaming of human rights protection into electoral processes. As one of the election observers in The Gambia, we hereby call on:
- All candidates to prioritize the respect for human rights and to support an electoral process that ensures that candidates elected will correctly reflect the choice and will of the people.
- Candidates and their supporters to desist from unfair and inequitable activities to win the elections at all costs. Those who result to high-handed means to win elections as well as those who are responsible for violation of the law must be made accountable by the judiciary in a timely and fair manner.
- Government to ensure that human rights, especially freedom of expression, freedom of association and access to information are respected.
- Government to ensure peace and security. Where the restriction of vehicular movement is necessary, this should not lead to disenfranchisement of the voters and violation of freedom of movement.
- The security forces must ensure the safety, security and protection of voters, observers, journalists and human rights defenders during the electoral process.
Ayodele Ameen
Executive Director
HURIDAC
ameen@huridac.org
+2348108037299 (WhatsApp); +447575951905
www.huridac.org
Background:
HURIDAC
The Human Rights Advancement, Development and Advocacy Centre is a regional Non-Governmental Organization in West Africa, established in 2014 with a mandate : (1) To promote, protect and ensure respect for human rights, democracy and development; (2) To build the capacity and knowledge base of civil society, government institutions, oversight bodies and other agencies and communities on human rights, development, democracy and conflict prevention; and (3) To use the process of the rule of law to hold governments and their agents accountable. For more information, kindly check our website (www.huridac.org).
NHRJ- THE GAMBIA
The Network of Human Rights Journalists – The Gambia (NHRJ) is a national coalition of human rights journalists in The Gambia which seeks to promote the participation of human rights journalists in investigative journalism including, conducting research, analysing human rights issues and pursue strategic interventions through advocacy, campaign to promote and protect specifically the human rights of journalists and the Gambians in general.
For media contacts:
Ayodele Ameen – ameen@huridac.org +2348108037299 (WhatsApp):
www.huridac.org;
Facebook: www.facebook.com./huridac; Twitter: @huridac
NHRJ- THE GAMBIA:
Musa Sheriff
Tel: +220 707 9257, musasheriff747@gmail.com