By: Binta Jaiteh
Emmanuel Joof, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairman, has called for immediate reforms within the country’s security services.
He this statement at the opening of a four-day training session on Tuesday, February 2025, designed for security officers, focusing on human rights, international humanitarian law, and the handling of gender-based violence cases.
“This training responds directly to the findings and recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) and the subsequent Government White Paper.
The TRRC findings unambiguously highlighted significant gaps in understanding gender equality, human rights principles, and the rule of law within our security sector. The compelling testimonies and evidence presented during the TRRC hearings made it clear that urgent reforms in our security services are essential to prevent the recurrence of past abuses and to establish a more democratic and rights-respecting security framework,” Joof emphasized.
He stated that security personnel play an indispensable role in upholding and protecting the rights of citizens.
Joof noted that law enforcement officers must be thoroughly versed in human rights principles, international humanitarian law, and gender-sensitive approaches.
He said the knowledge is not optional, it is fundamental for ensuring accountability, strengthening civil-security relationships, and restoring public trust in security institutions.
He outlined that the primary objective of this training is to significantly enhance the capacity of law enforcement officials by equipping them with the critical knowledge and skills necessary to effectively integrate human rights and gender-sensitive approaches into their operations.
“This training will empower participants a fully comprehend human rights and international humanitarian law, while also deepening their understanding of their rights obligations, and responsibilities,” he explained.
Martin Norman, British Deputy High Commissioner to the Gambia, stated that gender-based violence knows no borders, affecting women and girls in every part of the world, including The Gambia.
“It strips individuals of their dignity, curtails their potential, and fundamentally undermines our collective vision of equality and progress. Globally, one in three women will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, often at the hands of someone they know and trust.
Here in The Gambia, nearly 41% of women aged 15 to 49 have endured intimate partner violence. These statistics are not mere numbers; they represent lives shattered, dreams deferred, and communities stifled. The lessons of the past make it abundantly clear why this work is not only important but imperative,” he underscored.
He pointed out that survivors of sexual and gender-based violence have spoken out with courage, and it is the unequivocal duty to listen, take decisive action, and ensure that such violations are never repeated.
“The laws we uphold today will shape a future where justice is not an aspiration but an undeniable reality,” he concluded.
Landing Kinteh, Chief of Staff representing the Security Adviser, affirmed that the Office of National Security (ONS) has been instrumental in driving this initiative from the outset.
“The NHRC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and the Office of National Security, has developed modules on Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law, and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). These modules have launched a series of critical training sessions that the NHRC is rolling out without delay,” he explained.
Mr. Kinteh called for an urgent need to enhance knowledge and instill gender perspectives and a culture of human rights within the various security apparatus.
He added that this is crucial for generating trust, improving interactions with the public, reshaping perceptions of the security forces, and strengthening cooperation between security and civil society.