Speaking during the official launching of the Promoting Rights and Justice in The Gambia Activity, a civil society and media empowerment programme funded by USAID, Chief Justice Jallow said: “The Judiciary of The Gambia is strongly committed to the promotion and protection of human rights and delivery of quality justice.”
The USAID five year programme will assist in laying an important foundation for The Gambia’s growing democracy through support to the justice sector, government institutions, civil society and the media fraternity.
However, Chief Justice Jallow said the judiciary has firmly welcomed the programme with its objectives and envisaged outcomes.
“The judiciary represents a strong pillar in the rule of law and governance sector, especially in the light of the ongoing implementation of the transitional justice processes.”
“We expect lots of significant workload to come to the judiciary following the release of the report of the Truth Reconciliation and Reparation Commission (TRRC) and the White Paper issued by the government indicating its acceptance of the recommendation made by the commission,” he said.
He said substantial numbers of those recommendations are related to accountability processes in relation to the commission of serious crimes which will now be agitated by the courts. This, he added, presents a potential significant additional workload to the courts.
In this regard, he said, if the right and justice programme is implemented, it would be so much be helpful to the judiciary system in executing its functions.
Chief Justice Jallow welcomed the U.S. government’s political commitment and its firm support to Gambia’s justice sector, adding the two countries would continue partnering in promotion of good governance and justice in The Gambia.
He said the rights and justice promotion programme is just being launched but it has been helping the judiciary in various ways. He cited that it has helped the judiciary in training and capacity building for staff of the judiciary, technology to ensure speedy proceedings at the courts.
“The executing agency is already working with our sub-committee on practices and procedure in the courts to carry out a wholesale review of rules, procedures and practices with the view to improving them to ensure efficient processing of court cases,” he noted.
The added that the project is also addressing the implementation of the court connected alternative dispute resolution mechanism within the judiciary. This, he said, would help to ensure only necessary cases go to court.
“And where civil cases can be resolved out of court would be resolved out of courts,” he added.
CJ Jallow reiterated that The Gambia judiciary will work with USAID and partners.
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