Sharon Cromer, United States, Ambassador to the Gambia has commended Government of The Gambia for accepting almost of the recommendations of the Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), hinting that the United States would want to see the Gambia implement the recommendations of the Commission in a transparent and inclusive manner.
US Ambassador made these remarks at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference hall while presiding over launching of $7.9million USAID project, noting that the five years project hopes to promoting rights and justice in the Gambia. “I want to say the relationship is strong and is getting stronger every day.
“Today’s launch of the USAID activity of promoting rights and justice in The Gambia is a clear demonstration of the strength between the US Government, people of America and the government and people of The Gambia,” US Ambassador revealed.
According to her, the $7.9million USAID will help modernize the justice system of the country throughout the promotion of rights and justice, disclosing that the project will last for five years and will thus be working with the Ministry of Justice, Civil Societies Organisations the media among other stakeholders.
Ambassador Sharon Cromer observed that the Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) revealed 22years of rights abuse and the suppression of the rule of law, adding that the erosion of access to justice affected every Gambian both home and abroad.
“The United States Government will partner with The Gambia to safeguard against such abuses in the future. We commend the issuance of the Whitepaper that outlined the government’s decision to accept nearly every TRRC recommendations and adopt a victim cantered approach,” US Ambassador noted.
She added: “We urge transparent and inclusive implementation of the recommendations including broad legislative reforms, the setting up of special prosecution office and the creation of special judiciary framework to prosecute perpetrators of human rights violations. We recognised that this process will be difficult but all of your efforts will help The Gambia achieve justice for victims, promote national heeling and ensure non-recurrence.”
US Ambassador also commented the Government of The Gambia in drafting a judiciary strategic plan that laid down clear terms for modernising justice system, affirming that the US Government is ready and committed to supporting the judiciary in this endeavor.
According to her, USAID through the American Bar Association (ABA) and Freedom House will bring world class experts including Gambians to help streamlined the justice sector process, adding that USAID will be working with the judiciary to improve case management through the provision of computer aided transcription system that will allow judges from reporting court proceedings manually.
