By Kemo Kanyi
The Gambia’s Minister of Justice, Dawda Jallow, has highlighted progress made by the country in constitutional and institutional reforms aimed at strengthening human rights protections.
Speaking at the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on Monday, Jallow says the commission remains an African institution rooted in the continent’s history, culture, and shared commitment to human dignity and values.
He notes that The Gambia has recorded significant progress in advancing human rights and remains committed to sustaining reforms initiated in recent years.
“Since 2017, the government has pursued a deliberate programme of constitutional and institutional reform,” Jallow remarked, noting improvements in access to justice and expanded legal aid services for communities previously excluded from the justice system. He also cited strengthened legal and institutional measures addressing gender-based violence.
The minister underscores that government reforms aim to align national laws and administrative practices with regional human rights frameworks, adding that such efforts are driven not by political convenience but by the belief that justice is essential to building a fair society.
He further stressed the importance of African unity in advancing human rights, describing the continent’s shared ethical foundations as a strong basis for collective progress.
Jallow acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly the gap between policy commitments and implementation across African states. He called for stronger compliance mechanisms and urged member states to publicly report on the implementation of recommendations issued by the commission and relevant courts.
