The vision of the Human Rights Commission is to ensure that human rights are respected, protected and fulfilled by the government as the principal duty bearer and other state actors, through adherence to the constitution of The Gambia and other domestic laws and instruments which the country is a party to. The fundamental objectives of the committee are to further promote, protect the rule of law and human rights in the country.
Neneh M.C. Cham, president of The Gambia Bar Association, dwelled on the nature of the committee, saying it is set up to fulfill part of their mandate, which is to promote and protect human right and uphold the rule of law.
She talked about the work of the bar, which she added, seeks to maintain independence of the judiciary, protect members, promote wellbeing of members, education, the legal field and lots of other works that they do.
Cham also talked about the membership of the committee, which she said, comprises all legal practitioners who together form the Gambia Bar association.
She thus used the event to highlight some of the institutions they have been partnering with such as the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
She also informed that young people will be part of the committee and there will be activities such as monitoring and evaluation and other activities they could do in collaboration with the NHRC.
The president of the Bar, revealed that NHRC is supporting them in setting up, reviving and revitalising the committee, saying they will be conducting lot of human rights advocacy work, targeting law students at the University of The Gambia and young lawyers.
That, she added, is anchored on the need to instill the culture of promoting human rights and give them a better understanding of it.
‘This will not only help students but their members equally on human rights, rule of law and other issues and how to deal with them.’
