Gambian
rights group, Beakanyang Kafoo, Tuesday joined the rest of the world to
celebrate international human rights day on the theme: Youth Standing up for
Human Rights.
Human
Rights Day is celebrated annually across the world on 10 December. The date was
chosen to honuor the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption and
proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(UDHR), the first global enunciation of human rights and one of the first major
achievements of the new United Nations.
The
formal establishment of Human Rights Day occurred at the 317th Plenary Meeting
of the General Assembly on 4 December 1950, when the General Assembly declared
resolution 423(V), inviting all member states and any other interested
organizations to celebrate the day as they saw fit.
Beakanyang
Kafoo was formed in 2011 and has been celebrating the day with series of
activities in the previous years. This year, the organisation celebrated the
event with a press briefing and symposium at its head office at Bambo in
Serrekunda.
Executive
Director Nfamara Jawneh said Gambia has come a long way with regard to respect
for human rights under the new administration, but said there are areas that
still need improvement to achieve a better human rights record. “The Gambia is
a safer place than ever before and people have access to self-determination and
non-discrimination in a state where their fundamental human rights are
protected,’’ he said.
He
said restrictive laws still prevent peaceful protests and criticism of
authorities, adding that security forces still use excessive force to disperse
peaceful protesters.
Mr.
Jawneh said a recent survey by DECAP
indicates that there is high perception of corruption in the judiciary, adding that
the government should prioritise human rights to fully comply with
international and regional human rights obligations and protect and promote
women and girls’ right.
Human
rights day is normally marked both by high-level political conferences and
meetings and by cultural events and exhibitions dealing with human rights
issues. Besides, it is traditionally on 10 December that the five-yearly United
Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights and Nobel Peace Prize are awarded.
Many governmental and non-governmental organisations active in the human rights
field also schedule special events to commemorate the day, as so many civil and
social-cause organisations.
Coordinator
of Beakanyang, Ebrima Njie said the organisation is concerned with cases of
Gender Base Violence ((GBV) and urged the government to prioritise the justice
system in order to eradicate rape cases and other forms of GBV.
He
said Beakanyang would continue to make sure that they stand against all forms
of violence against women and support victims.
Chairperson
of Youth for Human Rights-The Gambia, Muhammed Sawaneh said the organisation
has established human rights clubs across the country to encourage human rights
advocacy. “Our main concern is to make sure that every child in the country
understands the basic course of human rights,” he said.
