The National Human Rights Commission of The Gambia on Friday 5 June 2020, presented it’s human rights report to the standing committee on human rights and constitutional matters of the national assembly.

It will be recalled that this commission was established by the act of parliament in December 2017 with the  broad mandate of the promotion and protection of human rights in The Gambia.

Speaking to the deputies, Emmanuel Joof, the chairperson of the national human rights commission said, it’s a constitutional requirement under section 33 of the national human right act to submit their report before the standing committee of the paliament end of each financial year.

He added that, the report contains the way human rights has been observed in The Gambia also the steps taken by the Commision to promote and protect rights this includes,  findings of individual complains,  investigation, intervention and recommendation by the Commision and it’s committee.

Chiarman Joof, confessed that at the onset of their task, their responsibility was faced with challenges such as minimum human resources, required facilities among other things to enable them work as planned but all these challenges were overcomed by their motivation and passion to build an institution to serve Gambian people.

He also said that, the activities of the Commision was funded by the Gambia Government, United Nations Developement Programme, Office of the High Commission for Human Rights and technical support from African Union (AU).

The Commission was also able to develop it’s key internal working document such as standing operational procedures, rules of procedures for complain handling, hand book for commisoners and staff among other things, said Mr. Joof.

Commisoner Joof, further highlited that during the year under review the commission engaged the the rule of law actors, schools, communities, civil society organizations and local government authorities to strengthen the Human rights issues in the Gambia.

“The report presented highlight of the role of the national human rights  commission in supporting the Gambia as it’s transition to the society that respect and uphold to the principles of fundamental human rights,” he emphasized.

Mr Joof said, the report is divided into two parts, the first face of it gives a detail situational report on the current human right position of the Gambia also recommendations on how things could be done better whilst the second part gives detailed explanation of the activities of the Commision.

Mr Joof called on the national assembly to ensure their independence is not compromised as an institution also to put pressure on the executives for the implementation of the resolutions.

In her part the speaker of the paliament Mariam Jack Denton, assured the Commision their continued support and collaboration, she emphasized the oversight function in the promotion and protection of human rights in The Gambia.

“The commission is one of the principal partners of the standing commitee, and report of the commission submitted today, will no dout help the commitee in its work as the apex oversight institution in Gambia,” she stated.

The speaker reiterated the significance attached  to getting the tools which will equipped the standing committee in their over sight function under clause 121 of the standing orders of the National Assembly.

By: Mr. Alkali Cham