Press Statement by the Gambia Center for Victims of Human Rights Violations. Today Saturday 11th November 2023, marks the 29th anniversary of 11th November 1994, the day the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) Junta ordered the unlawful execution of some soldiers who were accused of attempting to overthrow the Government. In the same vein, there were several arrests, tortures, detention and subsequent charges and convictions. This unfortunate incident has impacted both direct and indirect victims with so many challenges such as psychological trauma, loss of property, unlawful dismissal, health complications and so on. For more than two decades, victims of…
Author: Gainako
CALL FOR URGENT GOVERNMENT ACTION TO ADDRESS IRREGULAR MIGRATION By the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), published on 10th November 2023 The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is greatly saddened by reports of countless young Gambians losing their lives at the high seas or missing boats full of young Gambians in their attempts to reach Europe in search of ‘greener pasture’ commonly known as the ‘back way’. We extend our sincere condolences to the families of those who have lost family members in this unfortunate venture. The recent surge in the number of young people embarking on this perilous and…
The Gambia’s National Assembly has issued a press release indicating it would commence its Fourth Ordinary Session of the 2023 Legislative year from 13th November to 22nd December 2023. The Fourth Ordinary session is usually referred to as the Budget Session which is when the budget is considered and approved by Parliament. More in the press release below. FOURTH ORDINARY SESSION (BUDGET SESSION) OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE YEAR MONDAY 13TH NOVEMBER – FRIDAY 22ND DECEMBER, 2023 The Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly wishes to announce for the information of the general public that…
UNDERSTANDING THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE ILLEGAL MIGRATION “BACKWAY”IN THE CASE OF GAMBIA By Baboucarr Nyang The Gambia emerged from the tyranny of 22 years after the country was characterized by maladministration, human rights violations, and low economic growth. There was a great deal of optimism for the improvement of the lives of young people when the new government took office in 2016. It seems this has not been the case and our youth are again dying in search of greener pastures. In recent years, Gambia has been grappling with a pressing issue that affects its youthful population – illegal…
By Kebeli Demba Nyima, Atlanta, Georgia, USA Once upon a time in The Gambia, a bill was introduced with such audacity that it could make even the most stoic observer of politics burst into uproarious laughter. The “Former Presidents Bill” is indeed a masterpiece of satire in the world of economics. In a country grappling with a dire economic state, one might expect the government to tighten its belt and look for ways to cut unnecessary expenses. But no, not in The Gambia, where the art of irony seems to be a core value of governance. The bill, stipulates that…
By Dawda Nenegalleh Jallow Although greater attention is put on communicable diseases in scholarly papers, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are posing a significant health burden globally with particular emphasis on low and middle-income countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), NCDs account for 34% of the total annual mortality in The Gambia and as the country grapples with the rising prevalence of NCDs, understanding their impact on both individual health and the national economy is of great importance. NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory conditions and now kidney problems are diseases that are not passed from person…
This is a review of The Former Presidents Bill which is to be tabled today 2nd November 2023 at the Gambia’s National Assembly through a certificate of urgency from the President. The Bill seeks “to establish an office of former President, and to provide for pensions, gratuities and other benefits”. According to the review of the Bill by Civil Society Organisation Leader Madi Jobarteh recommends that “The Government should not provide residence for a former president because he is now a private citizen” and also not benefit from a yearly vacation amongst others. The review also proposes that “A president…
By Arret Jatta During the Ninth National Youth Parliament Session at the National Assembly, the majority of the members of the National Youth Parliament supported the continued implementation of the Female Genital Mutilation/C (FGM) Ban. FGM/C is a practice where mostly young girls have their clitoris or other vaginal parts cut and in some cases sealed. Currently, FGM/C is a banned practice with sections 32A and 32B of the Women’s Act prescribing a punishment of three (3) years imprisonment or a fine of fifty thousand Dalasis (D50,000) or both, for engaging in the practice of FGM or being an accomplice…
By Arret Jatta The National Youth Parliamentarians called for the government to be more inclusive in their decision and policy-making processes at their first ordinary session of the 9th Youth Parliament in the 2023 legislative year at the National Assembly in Banjul. The Speaker of the National Youth Parliament (NYP), Hon Omar Cham, called on the government, esteemed partners and all relevant stakeholders to join them in prioritizing Gambian Youths. “The destiny of our nation hinges on how well we empower our youth. We must understand that we are not just the leaders of tomorrow; we are the leaders of…
The Gambia’s National Assembly has issued a press release confirming an extraordinary session will be held in the 2023 Legislative Year starting tomorrow 1st to 2nd November 2023. A Gambia Parliamentary Newsletter publication over the weekend highlighted that at least five Bills were to be tabled by the Ministry for Justice, however, the press release from Parliament confirms that only four Bills will be tabled. Below is the entire statement from Parliament’s Office of the Clerk. EXTRA-ORDINARY SESSION IN THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE YEAR 1st – 2nd NOVEMBER, 2023 The Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly wishes to inform…