The four-day interface held at the National Accreditation and Quality Authority (NAAQA) attracted 25 security personnel.
The beneficiary institutions are -The Gambia Police Force, The Gambia Immigration Department, State Intelligence Service, Gambia Prison Services, Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Gambia Armed Forces and the National Agency Against Trafficking-In Persons (NAATIP).
The training seeks to expose participants to issues relating to the meaning and importance of the rights to access justice for migrants, to describe the specific needs of migrants, the essential elements of fair, humane and efficient criminal justice system that is based on rule of law among others.
Welcoming the gathering, Mansour Jobe, Director of Legal and Investigation at National Human Right Commission (NHRC), dwelled on the convention that guarantees the fundamental rights of all without distinctions, saying The Gambia is a party to several regional and international treaties including the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of Migrants Workers and Members of their Families.
Jobe maintained that access to justice is a basic principle of the rule of law.
“In the absence of access to justice, people are unable to have their voice heard, exercise their rights, challenge discrimination or hold decision-makers accountable.”
He thanked the Office of the High Commission for Refugees (OHCR) for supporting the activity.
For his part, Commissioner Ebrima Manneh, on behalf of Director General of GID, underscored the significance of the training especially to security personnel.
The event, he added, optimises their steadfastness and commitment to ensuring that every individual regardless of origin is afforded equitable access to justice and legal protection.
Commissioner Manneh reiterated that the training signifies a significant milestone in enhancing their collective capacity to uphold and promote the rights of all individuals irrespective of their nationality or legal status.
