The
Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) in partnership with the
Africa and West Asia Programme of International (AWA IDEA) yesterday started a
two-day expert meeting on Reparations Regulation.
Among
the key stakeholders are the former Liberian president, Prof. Amos Sawyer and
Johnney Delange, former deputy minister of Justice, Republic of South Africa.
Speaking
at the opening ceremony at Kairaba Hotel, Maurice Engueleguele, senior
programme officer, AWA IDEA expressed delight and highlighted that the first
components of reparations in transitional justice is to promote accountability.
He
added that the meeting was timely, having gathered stakeholders and engaging
them in meaningful discussions on reparation.
“There
are different types of reparations and it’s important for the experts to sit,
discuss and share ideas,” Maurice stated.
Julien
Attakla-Ayinon, UNDP Transitional Justice advisor also buttressed the
importance of reparations, saying it is sensitive as it touches victims and
families.
He
said reparations can put the transitional justice process on hold if not
handled properly.
Making
reference to one of the witnesses’ statement at the regional hearings in
Sibanor, he quoted the said witness as saying: “The TRRC is healing because as
I narrate my story, I am healing.”
According
to him, this indicates that some victims are not asking for money, but instead
healing from things troubling them.
The
expert further argued that reparations are a relief for victims and when it is
properly done, it helps the society and victims to settle happily.
“Reparations
are a long journey and are necessary to set the role. We hope that some years
to come, other countries will come and learn from The Gambia,” he concluded.
Kebba
Jome, the representative of the Victims’ Center expressed joy to be part of the
policy regulations for the victims, saying he was looking forward to very good
recommendations.
“The
victims have raised concerns about the release of the ‘junglers’ and
perpetrators that are in the system. That is the fear of the center,” he
emphasised.
The
vice chair of the TRRC, Adelaide Sosseh, acknowledged the support of the UN to
the TRRC; adding expectations of the families are high.
“Government
gave D50 million to the TRRC for reparations of the victims,” Sosseh disclosed.
She
said that reparations are key in transitional justice, adding that is in the
TRRC Act and is well respected.
The
expert meeting will provide a technical forum to facilitate dialogue between
the TRRC representatives with processes and various Gambian stakeholders, such
as representatives of affected communities and civil societies on reparations
principles based on experiences in other countries, and taking into account the
Gambian context as well as the TRRC’s draft reparations regulation.
