Sheriff Muhammed Kijera, chairperson for The Gambia Centre for Victims of Human Rights Violation (Victims Centre), affirmed signing of the MOU with TRRC as a clear demonstration of his institution’s committed to work with the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission (TRRC) to ensure smooth implementation of the transitional justice.
Mr. Kijera made the remark at signing ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding between the Victims Centre and the TRRC, held yesterday at the Victim’s Centre in Kololi.
The MoU according to officials of the event has the objectives among others implementation of transitional justice in the country, to establish terms and conditions under which the Victim Centre will be engage in activities of TRRC and be supported by TRRC as well as other partners.
The MoU will also ensure coordination, communication, collaborative frame work and other mechanism between the two parties.
According to the Victim Centre chairperson, the MOU will further ensure transparency and fair interaction between the Victim Centre and its members and would also enable TRRC listening to victim’s testimonies attentively.
Mr Kijera commended TRRC for demonstrating commitment towards implementation of the MoU, saying the move is in line with institutional role of victims to access justice, accountability and reconciliation in achieving as part of activities to achieve sustainable peace in the country.
He made reference to the country under repressive and oppressive regime of dictatorship for 22 years, when many cases were registered, including murder, torture, sexual assault among other human right violations.
He added now the country is working on getting a brighter future and ensure that the negative activities never repeat in the country, which affirmed National Assembly’s passing a bill that established the TRRC, which will be officially launch on 15th October 2018.
Mr Kijera described TRRC as a powerful measure to create unity among the public after mass violation of fundamental human rights in the nation, adding the Victims Centre would serve as a common platform for trust building and development of new social contract.
Musu Bakoto Sawo, deputy chairperson for TRRC, commended Victims Centre for signing the MoU with TRRC, saying the Victim Centre will be very instrumental in ensuring that transitional justice is done successfully, as TRRC alone may find it tedious to implement the desired transitional justice without support from partners.
Ya Mami Ceesay and Isatou Fatty, all victims of human rights violation commended TRRC and Victim Centre for the initiative. They all prayed for the smooth implementation of the transitional justice system.
Author: Sulayman Waan
