Over 200 inmates, prison officers vaccinated against covid-19
Sep 21, 2022, 10:25 AM
Over 200 inmates and prison officers have been vaccinated against covid-19, according to the director general of the Gambia Prison Service (GPS).
This promise came after hundreds of victims and sympatises marched on the street of Kairaba Avenue to demand justice and remind government about the Never Again to human rights violations in the country.
In a statement, the ministry explained through the transitional justice programme, that the government established the Truth, Reconciliation & Reparations Commission (TRRC) after an unprecedented nationwide consultation and has fully resourced it with over D200 million since its inception to date. The statement continued that between the months of August 2021 and now, government has allocated an additional D13 million to assist the TRRC to complete its report.
“With regard to the victims of human rights violations, government in 2019 made an initial disbursement of D50 million to the TRRC for initial payment of reparations to victims. Currently, the Ministry of Justice and the Victims Centre are jointly setting up a victims-led taskforce for the drafting of legislation to set up a Victims Compensation Fund to succeed the TRRC Reparations Committee. The government of The Gambia has already committed over D150 Million in the draft 2022 Budget Estimates, to be utilized as part of the reparations fund.”
The release continued that the Ministry of Justice is also working with the UN and other multilateral and bilateral partners on securing additional funds for the post-TRRC activities which includes finding the best route to achieving justice for the victims.
“All the above and many other undertakings by the government are done in good faith and are sufficient demonstration of the commitment of this government to the principles and objectives of the TRRC. Therefore, comments about government’s lack of commitment to implement the recommendations of the TRRC upon submission of its report are at best premature and speculative.”
Over 200 inmates and prison officers have been vaccinated against covid-19, according to the director general of the Gambia Prison Service (GPS).
The Court of Appeal has ordered for the criminal case involving ex-DG NIA Yankuba Badjie and eight others to continue after 11 months of delay.
Saajuma Keita, 30 year old native of Tanji who allegedly stabbed his own father to death and absconded to Senegal has been arrested and is currently in the custody of the Gambia Police Force.
National Assembly Members (NAMs) on Monday ratified €8,000,000, an equivalent of over D500 million as electricity project loan as well as a grant of €24 million and a technical assistance of €3 million earmarked for the electrification of 1,000 schools and 100 hospitals in The Gambia.