By Adama Makasuba
The National Human Rights and National Council for Civic Education have been urged to intensify public awareness and sensitization on the responsibility of people in a democratic space.
Alhaji Bakary Gassama, Director General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency made the call during training of his institution’s operatives at Upper River Region and Central River Region on human rights and related matters.
“I will also use this opportunity to call on the Commission and partners, especially NCCE (National Council for Civic Education) to intensify public awareness and sensitization on the responsibility of people in a democratic space. People should be cognizant of the rights of others and ensure that they act responsibly. This promotes peaceful coexistence and helps prevent potential conflicts, chaos and instability,” he said.
“The Gambia belongs to all of us and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that we continue to peacefully coexist in peace and with respect for the fundamental rights of all. This is what The Gambia has been known for and that is the brand that we should maintain and promote,” he added.
“The NHRC is the competent national authority mandated by law to boost human rights standards in The Gambia as well as nurture a culture of respect for rights and freedoms as provided for in law. Just like the Agency, the Commission was established by an Act of Parliament. This Act referred to as “The National Human Rights Commission Act” was enacted by the National Assembly on the 13 December 2017. It was assented to by the President on the 13 January 2018 and it provides for the promotion and protection of human rights in The Gambia and for connected matters as I earlier on mentioned. With this in mind, it is important for us all to understand and appreciate the work of the Commission.
“They are not out to witch-hunt anyone. Just as we have the mandate to seek and apprehend drug dealers and traffickers anywhere, so also has the Commission been mandated to investigate and probe into matters they believe relates to human rights violation. Therefore, we should see each other as partners in National Development and nation building. The state has set up or established all these institutions and structures so that there will be checks and balances and no one person or institutions can act ultra-vires or act with impunity. To the participants, I advise you to take these two days of training seriously. Participate fully and bring out critical issues regarding violations or potential violations or the likelihood of violations as it relates to your work so that you can critically analyze and deliberate on them for possible solutions and or mechanisms to avert the occurrence of same in the future,” he said.
“Always remember your mantra as professional investigators and Narcotic Officers that you should find the facts and mind the feelings so that you do not personalize issues. You must always ensure that you do everything humanly possible to ensure that you act within the confine of the law and with respect for human rights and dignity. Equally, ensure that you comb or survey your targets and gather all necessary intelligence that will guide your operational plans and activities. Remember that in today’s era in law enforcement the best standard is intelligence led operations and prosecution led investigations,” he added.
He said if they “adhere to these principles i.e. gather your intelligence, operate professionally with respect for human rights and dignity, you will not only secure convictions easily but you will also win public trust and confidence. This in turn will result in public willingness and readiness to share information with you as well as their participation in the crusade on drugs. Always remember that the by-product of our trade-craft is information. Similarly, I will advise each and every one of you to always make reference to the Human Rights Manual developed by the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA) for the Agency in 2018. The manual is user friendly, very comprehensive and covers pertinent and critical issues regarding human rights and its application in your everyday duties.”