By Binta Jaiteh
Head of Programs at the Gambia Centre for Victims of Human Rights Violations, KebbaJome, has disclosed that exhumed remains of November 11, 1994 coup victims are still lying at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital’s mortuary due to the lack of forensic experts.
Mr. Jome made this revelation during the center’s engagement with the National Assembly Select Committee on Human Rights.
He explained that the remains were exhumed in 2019 and still have not been identified due to the lack of forensic experts in the country, adding those bones were collectively collected and the required experts to identify them is not available in The Gambia.
“We have been engaging the Ministry of Justice regarding the issue but still they promised that engagements are still on ongoing,” Mr. Jomestated.
According to him, the TRRC testimonies showed that the remains have been buried but the burials are yet to be exhumed, adding the exhumation is also vital but if they don’t have forensic experts the bones will not be identified.
“We will continue to collaborate with the government through the Ministry of Justice to ensure that all exhumed bodies are forensically identified and handed over to their families,” Jome contended.
Emphasizing more on the challenges, Jomestated that victims also continue to face health problems from the violences they had during the former regime. “As a center we have done a lot to take care of this but still we can’t solve it due to shortage of funding.”
The Head of Programs at the Gambia Centre for Victims of Human Rights Violations, pointed out that there are also challenges affecting women because they are underrepresented and marginalized as far as the transitional justice system is concerned.
“There is lack of gender sensitivity in our legal frameworks and most of our legal systems are gender bias. We know there are challenges but we are focused and the way forward is that we want to continue partnering with the government to ensure Justice for victims. We hope with the establishment of the prosecution unit at the MOJ the list of seventy perpetrators will be prosecuted. We don’t look forward for pardoning,” Mr. Jome remarked.
