The GBA, alongside Civil Society and Victim Associations, has been a leading proponent of the establishment of a hybrid court to try domestic and atrocity crimes such as torture, enforced disappearances, crimes against humanity, and sexual and gender-based violence committed between July 1994 and January 2017. The Association commends the Ministry of Justice for its collaborative and multi-stakeholder approach, ensuring that the process of establishing the court included inputs from diverse stakeholders, including the GBA, Victims Associations, Civil Society, the Judiciary, representatives from ECOWAS institutions, the National Assembly, and eminent local and international experts in international criminal law.
The decision to establish an ECOWAS-backed tribunal in The Gambia reflects the commitment of both ECOWAS and The Gambia to accountability and justice for the citizens of the region. It is a significant step toward ensuring justice for the victims of grave human rights violations.
The GBA reaffirms its commitment to supporting the establishment and operationalization of the Special Tribunal as part of its core mandate to promote the rule of law and respect for human rights, as enshrined in its Constitution. To the victims who have endured human rights violations during the period between July 1994 and January 2017, the GBA recognizes that the journey to justice is a long and challenging road. Nevertheless, it is a road that must be taken for The Gambia to heal, reconcile, and achieve closure.
