The popularisation held across the country targeted women, youth groups, local government authorities, Village Development Committees, councillors, the security sector and Persons With Disabilities.
The main objective of the activity was to enhance the participation of the public and stakeholders in the implementation of the recommendations in the government White Paper.
Its specific objectives were to popularise the findings and recommendations in the TRRC report and the government White Paper; increase understanding of the local government authorities, women and youth groups on the role of the NHRC in monitoring the implementation of the TRRC recommendations; prepare the local authorities on their roles in the implementation of the government White Paper; and help manage public expectation in the implementation of the recommendation of the TRRC.
The expected outcome of the activity was to ensure local authorities are prepared for their role in the implementation of the TRRC recommendations, the targeted audiences are not only aware of the TRRC report and its recommendations as well as the government White Paper but also increase understanding of the role of NHRC in monitoring the implementation of the TRRC recommendations.
Aminata L.B. Ceesay, an investigator for the NHRC said understanding both the White Paper and the TRRC Report will help community leaders in their day to day work.
Madam Ceesay highlighted the need for all to join efforts to ensure that more people understand both the TRRC report and the government White Paper to help manage expectation of the public and also avert the re-occurance of human rights violations that happened in the past.
Saffiatou Nyang, state counsel for the Ministry of Justice said implementation of the TRRC recommendations will be cross cutting and not only limited to the justice system as the recommendations touches on various aspects.
She added that they are putting up necessary legal frameworks in place to implement the recommendations because it serves the interest of the country and every Gambian. “That is the only way we can achieve the mantra that we set about when we had the TRRC because nobody wants to go back to what happened during Yahya Jammeh’s regime. It is in our best interest to ensure that all the recommendations are implemented,” he added.
