The Executive Director of Beakanyang has called on the victims of human rights violations in Wuli to forgive their brothers and sisters who were alleged to have violated their rights during the past regime if they accept their actions and seek for forgiveness.
Nfamara Jawneh was speaking at the weekend during a day-long Peace, Justice and Reconciliation Banaba called (Badingbung) at Madina Koto village in Wuli West District, URR.
The Bantaba was funded by Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund as part of Beakanyang’s project ducked: “promoting Communal Healing in Post Dictatorial Gambia”.
The Bantaba was attended by over 100 participants mainly victims and survivors of human rights violations and their perpetrators.
Jawneh expressed sympathy with the victims and survivors noting that such programmes could be emotional for them but are needed to bring closure to them.
The BADINGBUNG (family house) of Beakanyang seeks to use traditional methods of truth seeking, justice and reconciliation.
According to him, the forum seeks to provide victims of human rights violations a community platform to share their stories and encourage perpetrators to accept the truth by confessing and seek for forgiveness from their victims.
“it’s our humble opinion that this programme will provide an opportunity for survivors and victims in Wuli who are yet to appear before the TRRC to also share their stores with the rest of the country,” he noted.
He added: “We have documented the stories of many victims and we realized that many people including those of you here present are survivors of gross human rights violations mostly meted on you by the former government,” lamented rights activist.
As a district, in order for us to move on we need to reconcile but to do that those who in one way or the order violated the human rights of others needs to confess and seek for their forgiveness,” he noted.
For his parts, Alhagie Mbemba Jabby the Chairman of Bandingbung who is also the Alkalo of Taibatou, said such forums will promote truth telling, community healing and reconciliation while restoring broken relationships.
Speaking earlier, Hon. Seedia Jatta, National Assembly member for Wuli also appealed to victims to consider forging their perpetrators. He warned against retaliation which he believes is not the best option for reconciliation. He cited former South African President Nelson Mandela as a role model that they could learn and drew inspiration from.
Lead facilitator Oustass Makeh Jagne of Bantunding village urged victims to forgive their perpetrators especially when they apologise to them.
He made an impressive presentation on Islamic perfective of good neighborliness and Foreverness.
“Badingbung is here for peace building and would continue to complement the efforts of Beakanyang towards the realization of its goals,” says Oustass Jagne who also doubles as vice chairperson of Bandingbung.
