By Edrissa Jallow and Edward Francis Dalliah
The Executive Director of Beakanyang, Mr Nfamara Jawneh has renewed calls for justice for late Marie O Mendy who was brutally killed at her home in Busumbala in April 2021.
Cut short at the young age of 21, the late Ms Mendy was a final-year student at Saint Peters Technical School located in Lamin. Reports say a man identified as Zilson Mendy allegedly raped and killed Marie Mendy and killed himself shortly after.
The two bodies were retrieved from Marie’s home with police saying their initial investigations into the unfortunate death of Marie Mendy is a case of murder and suicide. Since 2021 the Police have not published an update on their investigation into her death.
Back in April 2023 marked two years since the innocent girl was killed leaving her family members and friends in shock. The two bodies were buried on the same day on Saturday 25th April 2021 at Busumbala Christian Cemetery, days after the gruesome incident.
The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education sent a delegation led by then Permanent Secretary Mr Louis Moses Mendy to grace the funeral where they extended condolences to her loved ones from the government.
Speaking at a symposium organized in memory of Marie O Mendy on Friday 28th April 2023, Beakanyang’s Executive Director called on the government to publish the report of the investigation. “We must continue to seek justice for Marie and all other victims of SGBV,” said Mr Jawneh.
Beakanyang is a Human Rights, Environmental Sustainability and Development Non-Governmental Organisation based in The Gambia with its headquarters in Serrekunda.
Mr Jawneh told delegates at the Symposium that “if one of us is not safe; we are all not safe. And sadly, the issue of gender-based violence is still high in this country and it seems not much serious efforts are being taken to tackle the menace”.
The former journalist turned human rights Leader challenged young citizens to demand improved human rights protection in the country.
