Gambia: Victims' Center Hails Govt White Paper, Urges Implementation

Romain Chanson/ RFI
TRRC hall (file photo).
31 May 2022
The Point (Banjul)
By Pa Modou Cham

The Gambia Centre for Victims of Human Rights Violation in a statement has expressed delight in the release of the long-awaited White Paper on the TRRC Report and Recommendations while urging for its implementation.

"The victims of Human Rights violations from the Jammeh regime have been patiently waiting with anticipation as to what the government would do and what their fate would be as victims. There has been anxiety, fear, questions, and a lot of doubts as to what the outcome would be like."

"The government's take and position on the recommendations on the TRRC report was very impressive and it has shown that it's the right step in the right direction. The VC commends the Government for a job well done."

The statement further indicated that the acceptance of 99.2% of the TRRC recommendations has brought some form of closure to the victims, saying justice is not farfetched anymore.

It continued that the renaming of Arch 22 to the "NEVER AGAIN MEMORIAL ARCH", the denial of amnesty for perpetrators of brutal and gross human rights violations, amongst others is welcome by victims.

"The VC is very much impressed with the outcome of the government White Paper because it has fulfilled its mandate in giving hope to the victims and assurance that the government hasn't forgotten their plight."

The VC also commended the Ministry of Justice for the crucial role it played in the timely release of the White Paper. The VC added that the involvement of the civil society organisations, victims, victim-led organisations, international partners, and the public in the consultative processes leading to the release of the White Paper is commendable.

"We applaud them and encourage them to continue taking the bold steps in ensuring that justice prevails in this country. Now that the white paper is out, it has given us hope and the zeal to continue our work."

The center urged the government to carry out the implementation of these recommendations accordingly, while calling on all CSOs, victim-led organisations, victims, the media, the international community and partners, and the public to work together with the government to support the implementation process.

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