Africa-Press – Gambia. The Victims’ Centre of Human Rights Violations (Victims’ Centre) has signed 50,000 Euro-grant-agreement with African Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF) under the joint European Union and African Union (AU) financial project.
This was disclosed on Tuesday by the Victims’ Centre’s National Coordinator, Mr. Kebba Jome during the opening ceremony of two-day stakeholders training workshop on African Union Transitional Justice Policy held at Paradise Suite Hotel in Kololi.
According to him, the stakeholder training is part of the one-year project which will popularize African Union Transitional Justice Policy (AUTJP) and the Gambia Government’s White Paper.
Mr. Jome says that the AUTJP will be translated and aired in Mandinka, Wolof, Fula and Jola languages and will include a four (4)-day-sensitization programme with the National Assembly Members.
He pleaded with government to provide the newly established Reparation Commission with required funding and logistics to ensure the commencement of reparations for victims towards national healing.
The Chairperson of National Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (TANGO) Yadicon Njie Eribo stressed that the collaborative representation of stakeholders in the workshop indicated that the task was not only limited to The Gambia Government, “but a shared national responsibility.’’
Madam Eribo reiterated that the participants should reflect on how The Gambia as a nation could confront the past alleged human rights violations, responding to victims and building the foundation for “a just, peaceful and inclusive future.’’
“As The Gambia transitions from decades of repression and systemic violations of human rights, the task of rebuilding trust in public institutions, healing societal wounds and ensuring non-recurrence is not only difficult but it is also complex, sensitive and urgent,’’ she said.
She noted that the African Transitional Justice Policy is a landmark achievement in African governance and human rights, stating that it’s one that “must’’ guide every step in The Gambia.
TANGO Chairperson further revealed that the AUTJP did not import models from elsewhere; adding that it acknowledged that Africa’s history of injustice, colonization, conflict and authoritarianism demands African-led solutions.
She maintained that by integrating the African Union Transitional Justice Policy into the Gambia’s transitional justice process will align the nation’s aspirations with continental standards.
For his part, the EU Deputy Head of Mission Mr. Raphael Brigandi disclosed that the workshop was indeed part of a broader continental project the EU supported for transitional Justice in Africa.
He stressed that the aim of the project was to enhance citizen engagement by enforcing the rule of law and respect for human rights through strategic partnerships with AU organs, Regional Economic Communities, national governments and civic society.
“On behalf of the European Union, I wish to reaffirm our support and appreciation to all who are working to advance truth, justice and reconciliation in The Gambia,’’ he noted.
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