By: Fatou Krubally
The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ) has condemned remarks made by Sabach Sanjal lawmaker describing his statement as “offensive, condescending and unconstitutional.”
Alagie Babou Ceesay, the assembly member during Wednesday’s extraordinary session of the National Assembly, condemned the protest by Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) describing it as illegal.
In a strongly worded statement issued out hours after the session, the rights body took issue with Ceesay’s comment that “even cockroaches now feel to do what they want,” which it said ridiculed the Gambia’s youth and undermined constitutional freedoms.
“The protest led by GALA and the youths was not an unruly or unlawful act in any way,” EFSCRJ stated. “Section 25 of the Constitution guarantees the right to protest, with reasonable restrictions for public interest.”
The centre further argued that the arrest of GALA leaders on May 8 at the Never Again Memorial Arch was unlawful, as they had not embarked on a procession nor used any loudspeaker, which are the only two conditions under the Public Order Act that require a police permit.
“These young people were peacefully sitting down and had not even begun the protest when they were arrested,” the statement noted.
According to the rights centre, the GALA-led protest played a vital role in prompting the National Assembly to finally convene an extraordinary session on the matter of former President Yahya Jammeh’s assets—an issue that parliamentarians had failed to act on for nine years.
“Instead of insulting them, NAM Ceesay should be commending the youth for pushing him to finally do the job he was elected to do,” EFSCRJ stated.
While the group acknowledged Section 113 of the Constitution shields lawmakers from legal consequences for words spoken during sittings, it reminded Ceesay of Section 112(a), which requires NAMs to uphold the dignity of the Assembly both inside and outside parliament.
The centre concluded by demanding that Ceesay withdraw his remarks and urged all lawmakers to ground their statements in facts and law. It reaffirmed its support for GALA and youth activists in their demand for transparency, accountability, and constitutional governance.
