(Issued Monday 21 January 2020)
Justices
of the Superior Courts of The Gambia,
Honourable
Cabinet Members
Members
of The Gambia Bar Association,
Members
and Staff of the Judiciary Distinguished Guests,
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
It is an honour and a singular privilege to
preside over the official opening of the 2019/2020 Legal Year. From the outset,
let me re-affirm the premium my Government places on the establishment and
strengthening of a credible justice system in The Gambia. Accordingly, the
Opening of the Legal Year is always a significant moment, which we look forward
to keenly.
It
is obvious that sound national justice system administration is vital for the
stability and development of any nation. Therefore, it is important for all
branches of Government and the general public to give the legal and judicial
system the much needed support for it to function responsibly. In this regard,
I will cite a few examples to indicate my Government’s commitment to
maintaining an efficient, respectable and robust legal system.
From
2017 to date, important initiatives have been undertaken to attract and retain
the finest indigenous legal minds for both the Judiciary and the State Law
Office.
Incentive
to our Judicial Officers and State Law Officers has been significantly
increased, and there has not been any Executive interference in the Judiciary.
The separation of the three organs of State and the independence of the
Judiciary are principles which my Government will never compromise.
We
know that Government commitment to good governance and the protection of human
rights goes a long way in supporting the Judiciary and the legal profession. In
truth, the values of good governance save valuable judicial time, as they
enable the courts to focus on more pressing matters of development.
Ladies
and Gentlemen, when Gambians voted for change in 2016, they chose democratic
rule over dictatorship, the rule of law over misuse of power, and respect for
human rights over disregard of freedoms and civil liberties.
They voted for a Gambia free from unlawful
arrests, the brutality of law enforcement agents, suppression of the press and
detention without trial, among other forms of violations. As a Government, we
are aware of these choices and our responsibility to promote and ensure the
protection of these choices. The evidence is that we are living up to
expectations.
In
my address to this august gathering in 2019, I outlined some of the major
legislative and institutional reforms embarked upon by my Government. A year
on, we have progress registered thus far.
1.
The Constitutional Review Commission has shared the first draft of the proposed
new Constitution after inclusive consultations with the citizenry both within
and outside the country. We now look forward to a Constitution that reflects
the real values and aspirations of all Gambians.
2. The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations
Commission (TRRC) held public hearings, which availed witnesses testify before
the Commission. This represents a significant number of both victims and
perpetrators.
In
line with the victim centered approach of the TRRC, from the sale of the former
President`s assets, the sum of Fifty Million Dalasis (D50 Million) has been
allocated to the TRRC Victims Trust Fund to redress his numerous victims of
human rights violations.
3. The first ever National Human Rights
Commission is now fully functional. It is expected that it will continue to be
the bedrock for the protection of human rights in this country.
4. The
Janneh Commission of Inquiry submitted its final report on the financial
activities of former President Jammeh. Most of the recommendations in the
report were accepted by my Government, and recovery efforts are being executed
in the interest of the nation.
5.
Key legislative initiatives were launched in the past year, geared towards the
creation of an open, democratic and rule-based society. Among them is the
Anti-Corruption Bill, which will pave the way for the establishment of the
first ever Anti-Corruption Commission in The Gambia.
Ladies
and gentlemen, in 2019, The Gambia made the most significant mark in the world
of international human rights promotion since the adoption of the African
Charter on Human and People`s Rights in 1986. Having recognised our recent
gains in defending human rights, in 2018, the OIC nominated The Gambia as Chair
of its Inter-Ministerial Committee for accountability for the Rohingyas in
Myanmar.
Subsequently,
with the support of the OIC, The Gambia Government instituted legal proceedings
at the International Court of Justice against the Republic of the Union of
Myanmar to stop all acts of genocide against the Rohingyas.
We
are conscious of the burden of state-sponsored terror against innocent and
unarmed civilians. We must use our moral voice to condemn oppression wherever
it happens, so that others will not suffer illegally. We are currently pursuing
this matter.
Ladies
and gentlemen, in spite of the steady progress we have made as a nation in the
past three years, more work needs to be done in the legal sector. I have
observed, for example, the crime rate and the desire for violence among a
section of the youth, especially crimes of sexual violence against women and
girls. In addition, the backlog and slow handling of court cases. We need to step up on these areas to maintain
public confidence in the Judiciary.
Meanwhile,
efforts are being made to recruit the required number of judges for the High
Court of The Gambia.
For
this reason, I recently confirmed the appointment of two more Judges from the
sister Republic of Ghana, and I hope more Gambians will take up the challenge
of serving on the Bench to fill the gap.
Having
said this, I pay tribute to all those in the criminal justice chain who have
contributed in one way or another to the justice delivery system in the
country. Keep up the good work.
In conclusion, I must reiterate, once again,
my Government’s commitment to providing a sustained conducive environment for
an efficient, transparent and fair legal system in The Gambia.
Confident
that you will play your part very well, I now declare the legal year officially
open. I wish you all a very happy, prosperous and peaceful legal year.
Thank you for your attention.
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