The Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) was enacted by the Government of President Adama Barrow and the National Assembly in 2017. After years of investigations and public hearings, the TRRC submitted its Report and Recommendations to President Barrow on 25th November 2021 which was published on the Ministry of Justice website on 24th December 2021. Earlier this week the Commission published a statement calling for all adversely mentioned individuals to submit their application for Amnesty to the Commission by 21st January 2022. Below is the statement.
CALL FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS FOR AMNESTY TO THE TRUTH RECONCILIATION AND REPARATIONS COMMISSION (TRRC)
On the 24th day of December 2021, the Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney General during the public distribution of the TRRC Report made a call for applications of amnesty from adversely mentioned persons. Following the said announcement, the TRRC hereby makes a further call for applications for amnesty to be submitted to the TRRC Secretariat located at the former Dunes Hotel, in Kololi latest by 12:30 PM on Friday, the 21st day of January 2022.
This call is made pursuant to Section 19 of the TRRC Act, 2017 which mandates the Commission to make recommendations for amnesty. The application must be in relation to criminal responsibility as stated in the findings and recommendation made by the Commission in its Report. It does not affect persons who are recommended to be banned from office or other punitive measures.
The TRRC Act further provides that a person may qualify for amnesty:
a. If the person has made a full disclosure of his or her involvement in human rights violations and abuses;
and
b. Expresses remorse for his or her acts or conduct.
The applicant for amnesty should make a full and truthful statement in his or her application on their involvement in human rights violations as found by the TRRC in its report. In addition, the applicant must have expressed genuine remorse for their participation in human rights violations and abuses.
All applications must be submitted, in writing, to the TRRC. This can be done in person at TRRC premises or via electronic communications to the Email, [email protected]. Persons who have already submitted their applications to the TRRC Secretariat which meets the above criteria do not have to resubmit. However, all persons must submit their applications before the due date indicated above.
The Commission where it has refused an application for amnesty, it shall as soon as reasonably practicable give reasons for its refusal in writing to the applicant and to any other person who in relation to the offence, is a victim.
Applicants that are implicated in the findings and recommendations of the TRRC Report are therefore invited to exercise their right to apply for Amnesty which is based on the factors contained in paragraph 3 (three) above.
Essa Jallow
Director of Communications, TRRC