PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
U.S. recognizes ‘significant positive changes’ in Gambia’s human rights climate
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - The United States Department of State has released its 2017 Human Rights Report, recognizing that Gambia’s democratic transfer of power has resulted in “significant positive changes in its human rights climate.”
This indication was given In a press statement, made available to PANA by the U.S. Embassy in Banjul on Tuesday.
Washington recalled that among President Adama Barrow’s first acts was the release of 171 prisoners from the state central prison, a majority of whom were political prisoners.
The release added that Gambia’s National Assembly members repealed the state of emergency declared by former president Yahya Jammeh during the political impasse a few days after Jammeh flew into exile on January 21.
The release also pointed out that the new administration made several significant efforts to create a more conducive environment for freedom of expression.
“The Justice Department conceded that the country’s sedition law and some provisions (pertaining to criminal defamation and false publication on the internet) of the country’s internet law were unconstitutional.
The country previously enacted legislation making both female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and child marriage illegal, although deep-seated cultural norms made the full eradication of these practices difficult.
Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and government agencies actively publicized the newly-introduced laws in local communities,” the release noted.
According to the release, proceedings continued against nine former officials of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) charged with the torture of protesters arrested in May and April 2016 and the subsequent killing of Solo Sandeng, an official of the United Democratic Party.
“The government took steps towards establishing a Truth, Reconciliation, and Repatriations Commission (TRRC), led by the Ministry of Justice, to probe human rights abuses that occurred during President Jammeh’s administration.
The National Assembly unanimously passed a bill in December that formally established the nine-member TRRC and outlined its composition, objectives, and functions. Also in December, the National Assembly passed a bill establishing an independent National Human Rights Commission,” the release pointed out.
The most significant human rights issues included: harsh and potentially life threatening prison conditions; arbitrary arrests; lack of accountability in cases involving violence against women, including rape and FGM/C; trafficking in persons; and child labour.
The government took steps to prosecute or punish some individuals who committed abuses. Nevertheless, impunity and the lack of consistent enforcement remained problems.”
-0- PANA MSS/VAO 8May2018
This indication was given In a press statement, made available to PANA by the U.S. Embassy in Banjul on Tuesday.
Washington recalled that among President Adama Barrow’s first acts was the release of 171 prisoners from the state central prison, a majority of whom were political prisoners.
The release added that Gambia’s National Assembly members repealed the state of emergency declared by former president Yahya Jammeh during the political impasse a few days after Jammeh flew into exile on January 21.
The release also pointed out that the new administration made several significant efforts to create a more conducive environment for freedom of expression.
“The Justice Department conceded that the country’s sedition law and some provisions (pertaining to criminal defamation and false publication on the internet) of the country’s internet law were unconstitutional.
The country previously enacted legislation making both female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and child marriage illegal, although deep-seated cultural norms made the full eradication of these practices difficult.
Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and government agencies actively publicized the newly-introduced laws in local communities,” the release noted.
According to the release, proceedings continued against nine former officials of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) charged with the torture of protesters arrested in May and April 2016 and the subsequent killing of Solo Sandeng, an official of the United Democratic Party.
“The government took steps towards establishing a Truth, Reconciliation, and Repatriations Commission (TRRC), led by the Ministry of Justice, to probe human rights abuses that occurred during President Jammeh’s administration.
The National Assembly unanimously passed a bill in December that formally established the nine-member TRRC and outlined its composition, objectives, and functions. Also in December, the National Assembly passed a bill establishing an independent National Human Rights Commission,” the release pointed out.
The most significant human rights issues included: harsh and potentially life threatening prison conditions; arbitrary arrests; lack of accountability in cases involving violence against women, including rape and FGM/C; trafficking in persons; and child labour.
The government took steps to prosecute or punish some individuals who committed abuses. Nevertheless, impunity and the lack of consistent enforcement remained problems.”
-0- PANA MSS/VAO 8May2018
