President Adama Barrow on Monday received a briefing on the 2025 Annual Report of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) at the State House, highlighting notable improvements in the country’s human rights landscape.
The report focused on key areas, including the upgrading of detention facilities to align with the Mandela Rules, enhancing human rights education to support the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) and other institutions, strengthening the rule of law, and promoting international cooperation.
It also addressed concerns such as hate speech among politicians and religious leaders, the government’s plan to build a new central prison, implementation of policies for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), and the NHRC’s advisory role to the courts on issues including female genital mutilation (FGM).
President Barrow commended the NHRC for its timely submission and reaffirmed government support for the institution. He emphasized the importance of rehabilitating prisoners through correctional programs and providing opportunities for reintegration into society. Citing a practical example, he noted the employment of an ex-prisoner to train young people at a rural skills center as a means to break cycles of crime and foster positive change.
The President also outlined his vision of transforming The Gambia into a middle-income country through social projects funded by the Gambia Local Fund (GLF). He encouraged NHRC commissioners to be “tolerant, patient, but to stand firm” in their mandate to promote human rights and national development.
Reiterating his commitment to the NHRC, President Barrow stressed the importance of ensuring the Commission has sufficient independence and resources to perform its oversight functions, signaling the government’s dedication to human rights and social cohesion.
NHRC Chairperson Emmanuel Daniels Joof highlighted the Commission’s broad mandate to promote human rights and its advisory role in supporting informed government decision-making and policy development. He noted the government’s willingness to engage with the NHRC while emphasizing the need for stronger institutional support.