By Binta Jaiteh
Nfamara Jawneh, the Executive Director of Beakanyang has urged the Gambia government to engage the Senegalese Authorities to ensure that the lives and properties of Gambians especially in Foni are protected to the fullest.
He revealed this during a press conference held on Saturday with journalists in recognition and celebration of International Human Right Day under the theme Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All.
He said people are living in fear while disclosing that over the weekend he heard of people shot with drones in the Foni areas “this is unacceptable if it is not the ECOMIG Forces then the Senegalese Government should be alerted.”
According to him, citizens are discontent with the Senegalese contingent of ECOMIG Forces in Foni, recently the Foni National Assembly members expressed their dissatisfaction with the presence of the Senegalese forces of the ECOMIG Forces in the area.
He urged the Government to listen to the people of Foni and make sure that the alleged human rights violation they complained about is addressed.
However, December 10 is observed annually as Human Rights Day. This was the date the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) now 75 years.
“This year’s slogan – dignity, freedom, and justice for all is very important for The Gambia as we work towards building a human rights culture which must be anchored on justice for all including victims of human rights violations under the former regime,” he said.
He explained that the Declaration set out universal rights and equal worth for every person during the year under review, and it is believed that while significant improvements have been made in advancing human rights, the Gambia is far from regaining her lost glory of becoming a beacon of home in Africa as far as human rights protection is a concern.
Gender Based Violence (Rape and Domestic Violence, Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C), Child, Early, and Forced Marriage, etc) are common in the country and it is against fundamental human rights, he added.
He noted that the increase in crime rate is rampant and there is a need to remind the government about the rate of insecurity and murder cases in the country as it is the government’s responsibility to protect the lives of all people living in the country.
The Gambia Government deny the protesters from expressing their feeling over the cost of living and how the country is being governed, we call on the authorities to open the Democratic space for people to come out and express their feelings if not they can take the law into their own hands. Our government must put in policies to make sure that people don’t go hungry as every citizen deserves to live a dignified life.” He stressed
However, the institution recommended to the government to implement the TRRC report and the White paper because the victims are suffering and they are waiting for justice, invest in human rights, education, and among other things as stipulated in the Universal Declaration oF Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Right and other human rights instruments.
