#National News

Gov’t urged to table liberation bill before parliament

Aug 10, 2023, 12:03 PM | Article By: Adama Jallow

Outgoing chairperson of the board of directors of The Gambia Center for Victims of Human Rights Violations has called on the government of The Gambia to table liberation bill before the National Assembly to be enacted for the effective establishment of a reparation commission and reparation of victims. 

Sheriff Muhammed Kijera was speaking on Saturday at the 3rd Annual General Meeting organized by Victim Center held at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi.

The occasion was witnessed by victims from various communities across the regions.  

“I am calling on the government to honour its promises for a successful and unbiased implementation of the TRRC Recommendations and the Government White Paper as well as completing payment for reparations to victims.” he appealed. 

He recalled that the atrocities that occurred during Yaya Jammeh’s 22 years of dictatorship are not a secret anymore as revealed at the TRRC.

“We all had the opportunity to hear from both victims and perpetrators on how some people were murdered, raped, tortured, and maimed during his tenure.” he revealed.  

He, however, acknowledged their collaborative engagement with the Ministry of Justice, the former TRRC, NHRC, Civil Society Organisations and the Gambian population at large.

For his part, Adama Jallow, National Coordinator for the Victims’ Center, said that the meeting accorded them the opportunity to discuss and exchange common interests of the victims’ center and to review progress made in the implementation of programme activities.

He recalled that during the past years, the Center, CSOs and other partners have played a pivotal role in enlightening the victims’ community and the public on issues surrounding the transitional justice processes in the Gambia.